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The Chicago Cubs didn’t have much to show tonight in the first Friday night game regular season game at Wrigley Field.
Chicago Cubs’ killer Ryan Braun hit a two-run homer into the wind in the first inning. That’s all that the Brewers needed to keep within striking distance of the Cubs NL Central lead. John Lackey was outstanding, allowing just the two-run home over seven innings. That makes 41 consecutive games in which Lackey has pitched at least five innings.
Offense Quiet
The crowd of 41,020 was ready to go wild on Friday night at Wrigley, but the Cubs didn’t have much to show offensively. Fresh off seven shutout innings against the Nationals, Jimmy Nelson blanked another high powered offense. Nelson was removed after five innings with shoulder soreness, but the Cubs mustered just a walk off the Brewers bullpen.
The Cubs did have a few opportunities early, including the second when Zobrist leadoff with a double. They were unable to find that big clutch hit though. Anthony Rizzo hit a ball in the fifth that would normally have been a three-run shot, but the wind knocked it down and killed a potential go-ahead home run.
The Cubs lost at Wrigley for just the second time in eight games.
Pitching
Lackey continues to pitch well in the second half but fell victim to no run support. Lackey did allow his league leading 33rd home run, and it turned out to be the difference in the game. Nelson pitched well again but beat the Cubs for just the second time in his career. The Brewers now are just four games behind the Cubs for first place in the NL Central. The Cardinals were also winning their game, so they looked poised to move four games back as well. The Cubs magic number stays at 18.
Next: Cubs bullpen full of questions
What’s Next
The Cubs face another tall task tomorrow as the Brewers send Chase Anderson (8-3, 3.06) to the mound. The Cubs will counter with lefty Mike Montgomery (5-7, 3.38 ERA), who stays in the rotation following the Arrieta injury. First pitch is set for 3:05 pm on CSN Chicago and WSCR 670 The Score