Old Fashioned Slugfest as the Cubs overpower the Brewers

Sep 6, 2013; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Cubs left fielder

(21) watches his grand slam home run against the Milwaukee Brewers during the first inning at Wrigley Field. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-USA TODAY Sports

On a beautiful day at Wrigley Field, the Chicago Cubs have pounded the Milwaukee Brewers 8-5.  Junior Lake had an amazing day, tallying a grand slam and putting on a clinic on the right way to bunt the ball.  The Cubs improve to 60-80 while the Brewers fall to 60-80 themselves.

Leading the pack of the Cubs’ revolving door of pitchers today was Chris Rusin, who struggled a little, but overall posted a good 3 2/3 innings of work. He gave up 7 hits and two errors while walking two and posting one strikeout. His final ERA for the day was 2.89.

He did, however, rack up the pitch count, totaling 85 pitches in his short tenure, 52 of which were strikes. Carlos Villanueva was really the shining light for Cubs pitching today as he went 2.1 innings and retired 7 straight with five strikeouts, stymying the Brewers in the middle reliever spot. Working out of a 12 man bullpen Sveum next sent in September call-up Justin Grimm, who went 1 inning for 11 pitches and six strikes, issuing a walk but dealing with the Brewers in the 7th. Pedro Strop was given the 8th, where he gave up a 3-run homer. Kevin Gregg, red hot lately, was given the opportunity to close and recorded his 30th save of the year.  He has posted a 30 save year with three different teams.

Today was not one of Kyle Lohse‘s best days. Coming into today he had posted a 3.32 ERA but went just five innings today and gave up 11 hits, totaling 7 runs. He issued 1 walk and had 3 strikeouts for a 3.59 ERA. He hurled 71 pitches, 52 of which were strikes.

The Cubs drew first blood early and they drew it deep. Darwin Barney reached on a single and was brought in by Nate Schierholtz to score the first run. Lohse walked Ryan Sweeney to critically load the bases. Next came the fireworks, with a Junior Lake grand slam. It was his first ever grand slam in the Majors and his fifth homer overall.

The Brewers managed to take advantage of Chris Rusin and a couple of singles by Jeff Bianchi and Logan Shafer led to a Kyle Lohse bunt and a Norichika Aoki sac fly to bring the score 5-1 in favor of the Cubs. A solo blast by former Cub Aramis Ramirez brought it to 5-2 in the 3rd.

A Ryan Sweeney single, followed by a Donnie Murphy single set Junior Lake up for a textbook bunt to load the bases once again in the 3rd. Chris Rusin helped himself to a 2-RBI single and the Cubs advanced to a score of 7-2.

The Brewers mounted a rally of sorts in the 8th, punctuated by a pinch-hit Scooter Gennett 3-run homer off of Pedro Strop, closing the game 7-5.  The Cubs’ Donnie Murphy answered back with a single and a stolen base.  An overthrow by Jean Segura at the plate allowed Murphy to score off of a Brian Bogusevic single, advancing the Cubs lead by one run to 8-5.  This proved to be insurmountable to the Brewers and stood as the final score.

Former Cubs first baseman Derrek Lee was in attendance in celebration of his 38th birthday.

Tomorrow’s game is at 3:05 and will feature Jake Arrieta (3-3, 5.33 ERA) versus recent call-up Johnny Hellweg (0-3, 10.97 ERA).