Chicago Cubs Score and Recap (6/1/22): Cubs 4, Brewers 3 – Morel Keeps On-Base Streak Alive, Drives in Winning Run in 10th
The Cubs came into the game tonight with a chance to earn a series split against the Milwaukee Brewers. Kyle Hendricks started the game with a 23-pitch first inning but managed to keep the Brewers scoreless. That wouldn’t hold up as Hendricks gave up three runs, each after extra-base hits in the 3rd, 4th and 5th innings. The Cubs bullpen was solid the rest of the way.
Christopher Morel stayed hot and gave the Cubs an early lead. He extended his club record for a rookie by reaching base safely in his 15th consecutive game with a leadoff walk in the 1st inning. He would steal third base and score on an errant throw after a Willson Contreras single. Contreras advanced to third on the play and scored on a groundout by Patrick Wisdom.
In the bottom of the 5th, the Cubs added another run when Contreras singled to drive in Jason Heyward from second. That would cap off the scoring for both teams until the 10th.
After stopping the Brewers from scoring in the top of the 10th, gunning down Jace Peterson at the plate for the second out, the Cubs came to bat with Heyward on second as the courtesy runner. Nick Madrigal advanced Heyward to third base on a groundout and our hero, Morel, hit a sacrifice fly to score the winning run. (Box Score)
Why the Cubs Won
The bullpen tonight was key. After Hendricks gave up three runs, the bullpen locked the Brewers down and held them scoreless on just two hits and 10 strikeouts.
Key Moment
Heyward started the bottom of the 10th on second, advanced to third, and scored on the Morel sac fly. Fly the W.
Stats That Matter
- Hendricks wasn’t great but he also wasn’t bad: 5.0 IP, 3 R, 6 H, 1 K, 1 BB
- Daniel Norris, Michael Rucker, Rowan Wick, David Robertson, and Mark Leiter, Jr: 5.0 IP, 0 R, 1 BB, 10 K
Bottom Line
This was a good win and could possibly build momentum going into the Cardinals series. Two wins in a row over the division-leading Brewers was a nice way to end the four-game series.
On Deck
The Cubs host the Cardinals for a five-game series starting with the first game on Thursday, Lou Gehrig Day, at 7:05pm CT. Keegan Thompson (5-0, 1.58 ERA) will take on Matthew Liberatore (1-0, 3.72 ERA) in a game broadcast on Marquee Sports Network and 670 The Score.