Hammel shellacked as Brewers dominate Cubs

Chicago Cubs starting pitcher Jason Hammel was roughed up on Tuesday night, giving up nine runs.

by Colin Halm - Correspondent - Tue Sep 06 23:26:57 GMT-04:00 2016

MILWAUKEE -- Jason Hammel was shelled by a weak Brewers lineup as the Cubs fell to the Brewers 12-5 on a warm 88-degree night at Miller Park. It was the first Cubs loss to the Brewers in their last seven games dating back to August 16 at Wrigley Field.

Despite Joe Maddon usually having a quick hook with Hammel on the mound, the skipper left him in after he gave up five runs in the first inning. Hammel would finish the night having given up nine runs (eight earned) in five and two-thirds innings. The Cubs were also fairly sloppy on defense committing two errors which resulted in three unearned runs.

Just about nothing went right for the Cubs except for a couple of exceptional dingers from Anthony Rizzo. The two long balls raised his total to 28 on the season, eight behind teammate Kris Bryant, but raising his RBI total to 96 ahead of Bryant’s 91.

Jason Heyward flashed the leather yet again, robbing Ryan Braun of a home run in the bottom of the second inning. Heyward is currently tied for third for defensive runs saved in the MLB for right fielders with 11 according to Fangraphs.

The Cubs made a few roster moves before the game by calling up the beloved INF Munenori Kawasaki, OF Albert Almora Jr., C Tim Federowicz and RHP Spencer Patton. They also activated RHP Hector Rondon off of the 15-day DL and will slowly ease him back into his usual workload.

Mike Montgomery will take the mound Wednesday in the series finale with the Brewers at 8:10 EDT.