Chicago Cubs fall short against Brewers, drop series

On Thursday the Chicago Cubs lost game three against the Milwaukee Brewers, dropping the series in the process.

The Cubs struggled to score in the first two games of the series, but Dexter Fowler got things started early for the Cubs by sending a solo homer out to right field on the second pitch of the game.

After coming through with a pinch-hit single the night before, Jorge Soler started his day with a double down the left field line. Miguel Montero, who’s trying to get back in a groove after coming off of the DL, then brought him home with an RBI single.

It was a rough day at the dish for shortstop Addison Russell as he pulled off the hat trick, striking out swinging in his first three at-bats.

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Jason Hammel (5-1, 2.31 ERA) had his first shaky start of the season, giving up five hits and four earned runs in six innings of work. Hammel had only given up one home run all season but gave up two during his outing today.

The first came in the bottom of the fourth when Brewers’ first baseman Chris Carter launched a solo homer to dead center, tying the game at two runs apiece. The next came in the sixth, giving the Brewers a 4-2 lead after Kirk Nieuwenhuis sent one to the seats in right field.

Miguel Montero hit his seventh triple of his career, and his first since 2012 according to Jesse Rogers of ESPN.com. He would eventually score on a wild pitch from Brewers’ starter Junior Guerra, cutting the Brewers’ lead down to just a run.

Jorge Soler found himself in a big spot during the top of the eighth with runners on first and second with two outs, but the Cubs were unable to capitalize as Soler swung through strike three.

Chicago knocked on the door in the ninth with walks from Addison Russell and Miguel Montero to start the inning, but they were not able to get anything out of it.

Next: Cubs end skid with extra innings win

The Cubs struggled offensively all series long, and they’ll likely put this one in the rear-view mirror as they look ahead. Chicago’s only three series losses are to teams with losing records, and they’ve now dropped five of their last eight.

Next up is a three-game series at the San Francisco Giants, with Jake Arrieta facing off against Jake Peavy Friday night at 9:15 PM CT.