Anthony Rizzo homers again to back Hammel in 4-1 win over Brewers

Rizzo goes deep again in win

Things got a little tense once Milwaukee Brewers (44-60) outfielder Ryan Braun launched a solo home run off starting pitcher Jason Hammel in the first inning, but Anthony Rizzo and this Chicago Cubs offense would back him up throughout the game to pick up the 4-1 win Friday evening.

Hammel (6-5, 3.13 ERA) would tame Braun and this last-place club, holding them to only one earned run on four hits while issuing two walks and striking out four across 5 2/3 frames of work. He struggled against the worst team in baseball in his previous start while hosting the Philadelphia Phillies.

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Tonight’s win was Jason’s first in the month of July. The 32-year-old right-hander surrendered a combined 10 earned runs on 12 hits but posted a 17/7 K/BB ratio in five starts.

Kris Bryant worked a six-pitch walk with one out during the second inning and eventually came around to score on an RBI single by shortstop Starlin Castro. Castro drove in a pair of runs to help back up his starter as well.

Outfielder Jorge Soler pushed Bryant into scoring position with a single to Shane Peterson in center field prior to Castro tying up the ballgame at one apiece with his first RBI knock of the evening.

Milwaukee’s starter, Taylor Jungmann (5-3, 2.23 ERA), exited during the sixth inning as well as Chicago was able to tag him for three runs – two of which were earned. Jungmann issued two walks but recorded seven strikeouts before Neal Cotts entered the game.

Castro gave the Cubs a one-run lead on a force out to second baseman Scooter Gennett to push Rizzo across to score.

We’ll fast-forward to the top half of the sixth inning where Soler reached on a throwing error by Elian Herrera to lead off the inning. Shortly after Hammel struck out for the second out of the frame, second baseman Addison Russell singled to center to score Soler which made it a two-run game.

Rizzo’s homer came on the third pitch delivered by Cotts in the eighth inning. It was his 19th of the season and third in as many games.

Reliever Hector Rondon entered the ninth and recorded his 15th save of the season as the Cubs picked up their third straight victory.

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