Kyle Lohse dominate, Brewers blank Chicago Cubs 9-0

Chicago Cubs pitchers will be more than happy to get out of Milwaukee. The Brewers’ bats re-ignited after an off-day, knocking around Jeff Samardzija in his worst outing of the season.

Samardzija (1-5, 2.54) was hit hard, allowing eight runs on eight hits in only three innings of work. Ryan Braun hit his ninth home run of the season in the first, a two-run blast to start the scoring on the Cubs (20-34).

Kyle Lohse (7-1, 2.60) helped his own cause with an RBI single in the bottom of the second. He added another in the third, which followed Lyle Overbay‘s three-run double.

On the mound for Milwaukee (34-23), Lohse pitched one of the most complete games of the season. The Cubs never threatened (o-for-2  with RISP) and he struck out nine while allowing only three hits in the complete game shutout.

Lohse frustrated Cubs hitters all afternoon, and it boiled over for Anthony Rizzo in the fourth. On a pitcher’s pitch. home plate umpire Jerry Meals rang up Rizzo. Rizzo demonstratively turned and argued, earning the quick toss from Meals. For the Cubs it was unlikely it was going to make a difference at that point in the contest.

The Cubs have an off-day tomorrow, then return to Wrigley to start a six-game homestand beginning with the New York Mets. Tuesday’s probables are Jake Arrieta (1-1, 3.20) against the Mets Zack Wheeler (2-5, 4.31).