William Contreras scores eighth with three runs as Brewers rally past Cubs

On By Vaseline

CHICAGO (AP) — William Contreras hit an RBI single during Milwaukee’s three-run eighth inning, and the Brewers won their first game against former manager Craig Counsell, beating the Chicago Cubs 3-1 on Friday.

Chicago’s Hayden Wesneski threw a scoreless pitch in the seventh and Christopher Morel homered for the third time in five games. But the Brewers used a late rally to open a weekend series between the NL Central’s top teams on a winning note.

Jackson Chourio started Milwaukee’s comeback with a pinch-hit single with one out in the eighth against Adbert Alzolay (1-4). The rookie swept to second and scored on Contreras’ single.

Contreras then stole second, coming around on Willy Adames’ two-out single. The Brewers scored another run when Adames stole second base and scored on Jake Bauers’ single to center against Alzolay, who heard it from the crowd.

Milwaukee’s Joe Ross pitched six innings with six hits after losing his previous three starts. Elvis Peguero (4-0) and Joel Payamps each worked an inning before Trevor Megill covered the ninth for his second save.

The Brewers came out on top, with manager Pat Murphy serving the second of a two-game suspension for his role in a brawl with Tampa Bay on Tuesday.

Morel put the Cubs ahead with two outs in the sixth when he drove a 3-2 fastball from Ross straight to center field for his fifth homer this season. He pumped his right arm and clapped as he walked around the base.

Wesneski simply dazzled, scattering three hits over 6 1/3 innings. The righthander struckout eight and walked two in his second start and fourth appearance this season.

Before the game, the Brewers recalled right-hander Corbin Martin from Triple-A Nashville.

TRAINER’S ROOM

Cubs: Ace Justin Steele is in line to start Monday against San Diego after being sidelined since the season opener with a strained left hamstring, Counsell said. The southpaw was hurt trying to field a bunt at Texas in his first opening day start of his career. … RHP Kyle Hendricks (lower back strain) will start Tuesday for Triple-A Iowa, Counsell said. The veteran righthander threw five solid innings for Double-A Tennessee on Thursday.

NEXT ONE

Cubs RHP Jameson Taillon (2-0, 1.50 ERA) looks to continue his strong start Saturday, while rookie RHP Tobias Myers (0-1, 4.50 ERA) makes his third start for the Brewers.

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AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb