Cubs Recap: Addison Russell homers as Chicago completes sweep

The Chicago Cubs held off a ninth-inning rally, defeating the Milwaukee Brewers by a 4-3 final to push their winning streak to five games.

Milwaukee plated two runs in the bottom of the ninth against Cubs reliever Hector Rondon, making things interesting, but a fly-out off the bat of pinch-hitter Logan Schafer ended the contest, sending Chicago to a four-game sweep of the Brewers.

Chicago (57-47) moved to a season-high 10 games over .500 with the win Sunday, pulling them into a tie with the San Francisco Giants for the second wild card spot in the National League.

One of the bigger storylines from the win surrounded Chicago rookie Kris Bryant, who, with the Cubs leading 3-1, singled to center field to make it a three-run lead.

The young slugger raced toward second base, looking to take an extra base on the throw to the cutoff man near the mound, and on the relay back to second, Bryant collided with Jean Segura, appearing shaken up.

He was removed from the game and is set to be re-evaluated in Pittsburgh on Monday.

The Cubs got on the board early, when Anthony Rizzo drove in a run on an RBI groundout. Addison Russell extended the lead to 2-0 in the second, when he hit his seventh homer of the year against Milwaukee right-hander Kyle Lohse.

Lohse (5-13, 6.31) lasted just 4 1/3 innings, racking up 90 pitches in the process, while allowing four earned runs on nine hits.

After Milwaukee pulled within one, Chicago starter Clayton Richard helped his own cause with a live-drive double to push the edge back to two for the Cubs.

The left-hander was stellar, allowing just one run in six innings of work. He did not walk a batter and struck out three in what was easily his best start of the year in a Cubs uniform.

Joe Maddon also received his fourth ejection of the year after arguing a replay on what could easily be considered the play of the year by Starlin Castro halfway through the contest.

What’s Next:

Chicago opens a crucial series against the Pittsburgh Pirates Monday night at PNC Park in a matchup of two Wild Card hopefuls.

Jon Lester (6-8, 3.26) takes the hill for the Cubs and will be opposed by southpaw Francisco Liriano (6-8, 2.92).

First pitch is set for 6:05 p.m. CT.

Next: Grading the Chicago Cubs' midseason moves