Brewers blast three homers in win over Cubs in NLDS

Michael Mcloone - USA Today Sports

Dustin Riese · Senior Writer · 1 day ago

MILWAUKEE - If there was any doubt whether or not the Milwaukee Brewers are a World Series favorite or not heading into this series, all those doubts have gone out the window as the Brewers have pushed the Chicago Cubs to the brink. Looking to go up 2-0 against the Northsiders, it was the Cubs once again jumping on top early as they looked to take the American Family Field crowd out before they could get going.

Despite another fast start by the Cubs, the overall results were the same: the Brewers not only answered the Cubs with a fast start of their own but also went on to score seven unanswered runs, including three homers, to pick up a 7-3 victory and now lead their best-of-five series 2-0. This wasn't the spot the Cubs wanted to be in, but now that they are, they will have to figure out how to save their season, as everything will be on the line on Wednesday.

In a surprising move to go with Aaron Ashby as an opener for the Brewers, it was the Cubs using that to their advantage as they jumped all over the left-hander. It all started with a leadoff single to Nico Hoerner to set the offense up, only to have Kyle Tucker work a walk to put a pair of runners on with one out.

Then came the big blow for Seiya Suzuki, who turned on an Ashby fastball and unloaded for a long homer that put the Cubs on top 3-0. Little did they know, those would be the only runs of the game for Chicago as they managed just two hits over the final eight innings. It doesn't matter how good your pitching is; it's tough to win games when you don't score after the first inning, especially when your opponent is known for capitalizing on your mistakes.

Take the bottom of the first, for example, as Shota Imanaga started the game off with a bang by striking out the first two hitters before a pair of two-out singles from William Contreras and Christian Yelich began what wound up being a massive two-out rally. As has been the case for a while, it has been the long ball that has done Imanaga in all season, and with one swing of the bat from Andrew Vaughn, what was a 3-0 Cubs lead turned into a tie game as Vaughn left the building for a three-run shot of his own to make this a 3-3 game.

Talk about a massive gut punch to a team that needed a jolt, and you could see all the momentum shift in the Brewers' favor after the Cubs raced out to a quick lead. Chicago continued to keep the pressure on Ashby in the second with Matt Shaw working a two-out walk ahead of the Justin Turner single, as that was the end of the road for Ashby, who was lifted for Nick Mears as the right-hander escaped the second without damage.

With things still tied 3-3 in the third and with one homer already served up, it was the long ball that did Imanaga in yet again as Contreras did what he had to do to put the Brewers on top, belting a solo blast to put Milwaukee in front for good, 4-3. That was the biggest fear coming into this game for the Cubs, as Imanaga has struggled throughout the second half, but his inability to keep the ball in the yard is an issue that this team will have to address this offseason.

Trailing for the first time in this one, the Cubs had their work cut out for them as Jacob Misiorowski and the flame-throwing Brewers pen took over from the third inning on and made life difficult for the Cubs as their offense had no answers for the Brewers apart from the one big Suzuki swing.

Given the struggles of Imanaga in the first few innings, the Cubs were once again forced to go to their pen earlier than normal, with Daniel Palencia taking over in the third before coming back out for the fourth. Anytime you are trailing the Brewers at any point in the late innings, it's difficult enough to come back. Still, when Jackson Chourio delivers the Brewers' third homer in four innings, and the second two-out three-run shot to make this a 7-3 game, you had the feeling that this game was over.

As was the case when Aaron Civale pitched on Saturday, the Cubs' bullpen did a decent enough job to keep the Cubs in it, with Colin Rea playing the role of hero in this one, giving the Cubs 3 1/3 scoreless frames despite not having his best stuff. His performance alone saved the Cubs' pen for Wednesday, although it may not matter. Still, it does bring into question why the Cubs chose not to start him in this series when you consider the struggles of Imanaga and Matthew Boyd down the stretch.

After taking the 7-3 lead on the Chourio homer in the fourth, it was all Milwaukee from there as Hoerner delivered the Cubs lone hit in the final five innings as the Brewers pen went on to retire the final 15 Cubs hitters, six of them coming on strikeouts including three strikeouts from Abner Uribe in the ninth to give the Brewers a 7-3 win.

With things shifting to the Windy City on Wednesday, it will be all hands on deck as the Cubs look to avoid the series sweep and to keep their season alive for one more day. Jameson Taillon is expected to get the ball for the Cubs as he will face either Jose Quintana or Quinn Priester in an elimination game.

First pitch is set for 4:08 Central time.