Anthony Rizzo leads Cubs to 5-2 win vs Brewers in season finale

Chicago Cubs’ first baseman Anthony Rizzo drilled a two-run shot during the top of the first inning to help lead his club to a 5-2 win over the Milwaukee Brewers in the regular season finale at Miller Park Sunday.

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Rizzo’s two-run bomb gave starting pitcher Jacob Turner a 2-0 lead early on, and the slugging first baseman wasn’t done there, as he ended the afternoon going 3-for-4. Turner (6-11, 6.13 ERA) held the Brew Crew to just four hits, allowing them to plate two earned runs, while issuing three walks and striking out two in five innings of work.

The Brewers (82-80) cut into Chicago’s slim lead after Martin Maldonado laid down a sacrifice bunt during the bottom of the second inning to push across Jean Segura from third base. Cubs’ third baseman Luis Valbuena was charged with an error on the play after letting a ball get away from him, with the throw skipping past first baseman Anthony Rizzo.

Second baseman Elian Herrera would tie the game up at two apiece during the bottom of the fifth on a line-drive to left fielder Chris Coghlan.

Outfielder Arismendy Alcantara recorded his 11th double of the season during the top of the sixth inning, allowing both Rizzo and Jorge Soler to come around to score. Alcantara’s only hit of the game gave his team the 4-2 lead after Milwaukee tied it in the bottom of the fifth.

Coghlan would later be credited with an RBI on a fielder’s choice by Herrera in the top of the ninth with one out. Logan Watkins set Coghlan up with a chance to extend their lead to 5-2 after laying down a sacrifice bunt to advance both 90 feet Chris Valaika and John Baker with no outs.

Cubs closer Hector Rondon retired Jean Segura, Scooter Gennett and Logan Schafer in order to pick up save number 29 of the year – keeping the Cubs (73-89) under 90 losses for the first time since the 2010.