Round 1 vs. Cubs: Mission accomplished
Braun’s HR provides only runs of game in 2-0 victory at Wrigley
CHICAGO - The Milwaukee Brewers shut out the Chicago Cubs, 2-0, in the firstever Friday night game played during the regular season at Wrigley Field. But the victory came at a cost. Starting pitcher Jimmy Nelson was forced from the game after five innings and 79 pitches with what the team termed "right-arm soreness" – an injury that could have serious ramifications for a team pushing for the postseason if he winds up missing any starts because of it.
It was a two-run home run in the first inning by Ryan Braun that stood up the rest of the way for the Brewers, who got terrific relief behind Nelson from Josh Hader, Anthony Swarzak and Corey Knebel in trimming a full game off what had been a five-game Cubs lead in the Central Division race.
With 73 victories, Milwaukee has now matched its victory total from 2016 (73-89) with 21 games remaining.
The Brewers, who came in having scored seven of their eight runs via the long ball in a three-game sweep in Cincinnati, got all the offense they'd need against against John Lackey and the Cubs on – what else? – a homer to straightaway center field by Braun in the first inning.
It was the 15th of the season and 300th of Braun's career, making him the 12th active player in the major leagues to reach the mark.
There wasn't much else to speak of after that against Lackey for Milwaukee's offense, which had scored 48.7% of its runs with homers coming in – second only to the Texas Rangers (49.1%).
Keon Broxton managed a bloop single in the second, Braun was plunked by Lackey in the third and Nelson singled hard off the wall in left in the fifth as the Brewers once again failed to apply any sort of consistent pressure on the opposing pitcher with their bats.
Nelson came into the night having not pitched since Sept. 1, having been pushed back for the opener with an off day Thursday mixed in as well.
He also was 1-3 with a 5.45 ERA in seven career games (six starts) at Wrigley Field.
Nelson struck out a pair in the opening inning and then worked around multiple baserunners in the second, third and fifth to keep the Cubs scoreless.
He was facing potential major trouble in that fifth after hitting Jon Jay with two
outs and then walking Kris Bryant to put two on for Anthony Rizzo. Rizzo hit a moon shot to center, but Broxton was able to camp under the ball as the gusting, swirling winds got a hold of it.
That would up being the final batter for Nelson, who'd made a headfirst slide back into first base on his fifth-inning single. He came up somewhat gingerly after making a wide turn and ultimately dove head-first back into the bag – a sequence that appeared to leave him slightly shaken and pave the way for his early exit.
Nelson (12-6) allowed four hits and two walks while striking out seven, leaving him with 199 for the season.
Hader pitched two perfect innings in relief of Nelson before walking the leadoff man Jay to open the Cubs' eighth. Swarzak picked up the left-hander by retiring Bryant, Rizzo and Ben Zobrist, then Knebel locked down Milwaukee's 10th shutout of the season with a scoreless ninth for his 33rd save.
BEHIND THE BOX SCORE
Aaron Wilkerson, promoted from Class AA Biloxi to Class AAA Colorado Springs for the playoffs, made his first start for the Sky Sox this season a memorable one.
The right-hander threw seven no-hit innings and tied a season high with 11 strikeouts to lead Colorado Springs past Memphis, 5-0, on Thursday.
The Sky Sox evened the series at 1-1, with the third game scheduled for Friday night in Colorado Springs. The shutout was the first in Sky Sox postseason history and the 11 punchouts tied the individual and team marks for a postseason game.
Right-hander Aaron Brooks, who was designated for assignment on Tuesday when the Brewers recalled outfielder Quentin Berry, was outrighted to Class AAA Colorado Springs. STAT SHEET
Nelson came into Friday with 192 strikeouts, a total that tied for fourth place in the National League. He was seeking the 10th 200strikeout season in franchise history, a feat accomplished by five pitchers including Yovani Gallardo most recently in 2012 (204).
The club record is 264, set by Ben Sheets in 2004.
Braun entered Friday a .335 hitter with 32 homers, 117 RBI and 109 runs scored in 146 career games against the Cubs. At Wrigley Field, he entered a .345 hitter with 14 homers, 61 RBI and 50 runs scored in 70 career games.
TAKEAWAY
It was a great way to start a huge series for the Brewers, but Nelson's injury put a big damper on it. Also, the offense continues to struggle, although Braun's blast and the pitching let it off the hook.
RECORD
This year: 73-68 (39-32 home; 34-36 away)
Last year: 63-78
NEXT GAME
Saturday: Brewers at Cubs, 3:05 p.m. Milwaukee RHP Chase Anderson (8-3, 3.06) vs. Chicago LHP Mike Montgomery (5-7, 3.38). TV: FS Wisconsin. Radio: AM-620.