Justin Ruggiano has big day, Chicago Cubs hold on to win 10-8

Rick Scuteri-USA TODAY Sports

Justin Ruggiano had a solid day at the plate going 3-for-3 with three runs knocked in – including a two run home run in the first – as the Chicago Cubs held on to defeat the Milwaukee Brewers 10-8 in front of a Cactus League record crowd of 14,770.

Kyle Hendricks threw three innings, allowing two runs in a rough second, as the Brewers tied the game up at two.

The Cubs then pushed across three in the sixth, including Ruggiano’s third RBI of the game as they went up 6-2. The Brewers would battle back in the top of the seventh, sending nine to the plate and scoring five to take a 7-6 lead.

The Cubs would show some solid plate discipline in the bottom half of the seventh scoring four times on only one hit. Brett Jackson pinch-hit and followed three walks with a solid single to give the Cubs the lead again, which they would not relinquish.

Justin Grimm pitched the ninth for the save, but not without it becoming interesting with the desert sun making any fly ball an adventure. Jeremy Hermida dropped a lazy pop up into left to load the bases, but Grimm forced a pop out, then a chopper back to the mound to end the Brewers threat. It was the Cubs’ third consecutive victory.

The Cubs will take on the San Francisco Giants tomorrow, with Jeff Samardzija (0-0, 5.40) scheduled to pitch. He will be opposed by Jose DePaula (0-0, 0.00)