Chicago Cubs blow tenth-inning lead as Brewers escape with win

Wade Davis blew his first save as a member of the Chicago Cubs and Travis Shaw delivered a game-winner in extras to give the Milwaukee Brewers the win.

Since Opening Night, when Wade Davis takes the ball for the Chicago Cubs, the game is good as over. For 32 consecutive save-opportunities, he shut the door in the ninth. But, for the first time in 2017, the Cubs’ closer faltered on Saturday at Miller Park.

After allowing a game-tying homer in the ninth, Davis allowed his second homer of the afternoon – and it was a big one. Brewers slugger Travis Shaw connected, sending the pitch into the Milwaukee bullpen for a two-run blast, stunning the Cubs fans who made the trek up I-94 to take in the action.

The blown save marks Davis’ first such appearance since last August. He has now allowed six home runs on the year – two of which came in Saturday’s loss.

Chicago (86-69) battled to take the lead in the top of the eighth on a Kris Bryant sac fly that scored Ian Happ. The Cubs’ rookie led off the tenth with a first-pitch double into the gap to get things started. After advancing to third on a bunt, he easily tagged up and scored to make it 2-1.

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Joe Maddon turned to Davis in the ninth with that one-run advantage. And the first batter he faced, Orlando Arcia, ambushed him. The Milwaukee infielder tagged the first pitch he saw and lined it inside the left-field foul pole to tie things up 2-2.

Left-hander Brent Suter matched Kyle Hendricks pitch-for-pitch on the mound early. The southpaw allowed one run on six singles over 5 1/3 innings of work. Hendricks, meanwhile, tossed a season-high 112 pitches, en route to six shutout frames.

In relief of Hendricks, Justin Wilson turned in 1 1/3 scoreless frames in which he struck out three. It was one of his sharpest outings of the season. For obvious reasons, adding a lights-out Wilson to the mix would be a big boost to the Cubs’ pen.

After Eric Thames singled in the first run of the game in the bottom of the first, Happ delivered a run-scoring single in the second to tie things up. He scored two runs in the loss, adding a pair of hits and a walk. Jon Jay was the only other Chicago hitter with more than one knock.

What’s Next

Chicago and Milwaukee conclude the four-game series Sunday at Miller Park.

Jose Quintana (10-11, 4.27) squares off against Chase Anderson (11-3, 2.74). First pitch is set for 1:10 p.m. from Milwaukee.