Chicago Cubs take game one of doubleheader from Milwaukee

After dropping the final two games of their four-game weekend set to the St. Louis Cardinals, Joe Maddon, and the Chicago Cubs were back at it again. In his first career start with the Cubbies, Trevor Cahill turned in a great outing.

Of course, since today featured two baseball games for the Chicago Cubs (74-43), legendary shortstop Ernie Banks conducting the 7th Inning Stretch. Sadly, Mr. Cub was only able to do so via previous recordings.

But hey, he’s smiling right now. His boys in pinstripes did him proud by taking the first game over the Brewers by the final score of 4-0.

Cahill (2-3, 2.74 ERA) picked up a spot start for the Cubs and was great through five innings of work. He held Milwaukee (52-65) to two hits while issuing two walks, and striking out three batters.

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As for the opposing pitcher, former Cub and Tampa Bay Ray, Matt Garza, things could have gone better. Garza (4-5, 4.87 ERA) was tagged for three earned runs on five hits, three walks, and two strikeouts in five innings.

Chicago grabbed an early 1-0 lead in the very first inning of the ballgame on a sacrifice fly off the bat of Addison Russell. Fast forward to the home half of the third inning with two on and Russell in the box for the second time.

With Russell at the dish, Garza was charged with a wild pitch that allowed center fielder Dexter Fowler to cross home plate. This extended Chicago’s lead to 2-0.

While Cahill was dealing on the mound, he took it upon himself to add to the lead later on in the fourth inning. Like Jon Lester did against the Seattle Mariners, Trevor laid down a bunt, scoring Chris Coghlan to make it 3-0.

Trevor made an impressive stretch on a ground ball that was bobbled and fielded by Anthony Rizzo. Who knew he was that flexible? Speaking of Coghlan, he was credited with a RBI on a sacrifice fly to right field.

Next: What was this DJ thinking?

Brewers skipper Craig Counsell asked for the crew chief to take a look, hoping to get him to overturn the original call. Ben Zobrist slid ahead of the tag, touching the top of the plate before the tag was applied. Call upheld.

Instead of Aroldis Chapman taking the bump to start the ninth inning, Joe Smith was the man to start the frame. Smith issued two walks before Maddon opted to bring in his closer who slammed the door on Milwaukee.

Game two of this doubleheader is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. central time. Jason Hammel (12-5, 2.90 ERA) takes on Chase Anderson (7-10, 4.93 ERA) to end the day.