Brewers’ stalwart ’pen rocked by Rizzo, Cubs
Surge in 11th vaults Chicago atop division
MILWAUKEE — Anthony Rizzo turned on the power with a long homer down the right-field line in the 11th inning. Jason Heyward delivered a tying single in the eighth against one of the majors’ toughest relievers.
The Chicago Cubs dented the Milwaukee Brewers’ normally lights-out bullpen to return to first place in the National League Central.
Rizzo’s shot opened the scoring in a five-run 11th, and Heyward drove in three runs during a 7-2 victory that gave the Cubs a half-game lead in the division.
“Today we piled on late,” manager Joe Maddon said. “You could see what we’re capable of doing.”
Rizzo hit a fastball down the middle from Matt Albers (3-2) for a towering shot that snapped a 2-all tie. The Cubs scored four more runs in the inning with two outs, including a two-run double by Heyward.
Trailing 2-1 most of the night, the Cubs scored six times over the last four innings against the Brewers’ formidable bullpen. They won their seventh straight over Milwaukee.
Cubs relievers tossed five scoreless innings, with Randy Rosario (3-0) retiring all six batters he faced for the win.
After being held to one run by Brewers starter Junior Guerra, the Cubs broke through in the eighth against a bullpen with a league-best 2.53 ERA. The left-handed-hitting Heyward, who had three hits, tied the game at 2 with a run-scoring single to right off lefty reliever Josh Hader.
Left-handed hitters were 2-for36 against Hader before Heyward’s single.
Albers allowed five runs and three hits, leaving with two outs in the 11th. His ERA ballooned from 1.93 to 3.45.
He said he was expecting Rizzo to swing at the first pitch. But his fastball didn’t sail up and in as planned.
Guerra struck out four while allowing five hits and two walks, aided by two double plays and two highlight-reel catches in left by Ryan Braun.
He made a diving grab to prevent Rizzo’s flare from falling for a hit to lead off the fourth. Two innings later, Braun made a leaping catch at the wall to rob Willson Contreras of a tying homer.