Chicago Cubs complete doubleheader sweep behind Hammel’s gem

Let’s Win Two! It was a beautiful day in Chicago, Illinois and an even perfect day for doubleheader baseball. Joe Maddon and the Chicago Cubs managed to sweep today’s doubleheader over the Milwaukee Brewers.

Boy, the wheels really do keep on turning for right-hander Jason Hammel, don’t they? Since the All-Star break, Hammel has been absolutely lights out, emerging as one of the best pitcher’s in both the American and National League.

Milwaukee (52-66) had a hard time figuring him out early on and battled with a couple of injuries in the process. Starting pitcher Chase Anderson left with a leg injury. Same with veteran outfielder Ryan Braun who made a sliding attempt in left field.

Braun crashed into the wall in foul territory and would exit the game. Meanwhile, Hammel (13-5, 2.75 ERA) kept this Brewers lineup quiet throughout the evening.

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In seven innings of work, the 33-year-old right-hander held Milwaukee to just two hits while issuing three walks, and striking out seven. He also finished the night 2-for-3 in the batter’s box, recording his third double of the year in the fifth.

His offense gave him an early 1-0 lead in the third inning. Third baseman Kris Bryant singled out to left field, scoring catcher David Ross from second. Ross moved into scoring position on Hammel’s first hit of the evening.

First baseman Anthony Rizzo made another terrific highlight play tonight. Like his tarp play in 2015, Rizzo made his way over to foul territory on a pop-up and made the catch. This time, he was standing on the wall instead of the tarp.

Rizzo nearly had himself another RBI but Matt Szczur was called out at the plate in the fifth inning. It was clear that he was safe, just not up to us to make that call. However, the Cubs (75-43) did get the run back in the sixth inning.

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Rookie catcher Willson Contreras plated Zobrist on a single out to right field, making it a 2-0 ballgame. Moments later, infielder Javier Baez launched a no-doubt two-run homer out to left field, busting things wide open for the home team.

The Brewers managed to score their only run of the day on a solo home run off the bat of Hernan Perez in the ninth inning. Travis Wood, who was on the mound at the time, gave up a single to Chris Carter in the next at-bat.

Aroldis Chapman was then brought into the game with another save opportunity on the table with two outs in the frame. Chapman picked up his sixth save as a member of the Chicago Cubs and 26th overall.