Schwarber’s grand slam leads Cubs over Brewers

Kyle Schwarber’s grand slam capped a five-run sixth inning and powered the Chicago Cubs to a 10-5 victory over the Brewers on Thursday night in the opener of a crucial four-game series in Milwaukee.

The Brewers dropped 7½ games behind first-place St. Louis in the NL Central and five back of the Cubs for the second wild card. Chicago remained 2½ games behind the Cardinals, who routed the Giants 10- 0.

The Cubs loaded the bases with one out in the sixth on two singles and a walk against Matt Albers (5-5). Drew Pomeranz relieved and Anthony Rizzo lined a sacrifice fly that put Chicago up 5- 4. Willson Contreras reached on a swinging bunt to reload the bases. Schwarber then sent the first pitch 442 feet to right-center for his 34th homer and second grand slam of the season. TWINS GET FINAL OUT AT THE PLATE » Left fielder Eddie Rosario threw out Rafael Devers at home plate for the final out, preserving Minnesota’s 2-1 victory over the Red Sox in Boston.

Rosario delivered a strike to catcher Jason Castro as Devers attempted to score from second on a double off the Green Monster by J.D. Martinez.

Willians Astudillo drove in the go-ahead run in the seventh inning with just the second hit of the night for the Twins. MORAN K’S BROTHER IN MLB DEBUT » Brian Moran became the first player in major league history to make his debut while facing his brother on the mound, striking out younger sibling Colin in the Marlins’ 10-7 victory over the Pirates in Pittsburgh.

Brian Moran (1- 0) entered in the fourth inning with the Marlins trailing 5-2. After Bryan Reynolds led off with a groundout, Colin stepped to the plate.

The 30-year-old Brian fell behind 3-1 before throwing backto-back sliders to strike out Colin looking. The 26-year-old Colin shouted toward the mound on his way back to the dugout.