Cubs News: Schwarber smacks homer to help take series win
Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports

Cubs News: Schwarber smacks homer to help take series win


by - Senior Editor -

MILWAUKEE-- The Chicago Cubs got out to a fast start on Sunday afternoon and never looked back as they won 7-3 over the Milwaukee Brewers in the rubber game of the series. The Cubs scored 18 runs in the last two games against the Brew Crew.

In the first inning, shortstop Addison Russell smoked a line drive to center field that scored Kyle Schwarber and Kris Bryant to put the Cubs up 2-0. To pile on in the first inning, outfielder Jason Heyward tripled on a line drive to center field that scored Ben Zobrist and Russell to give the Cubs a 4-0 lead. The triple was hit off the bat at 99 MPH and traveled 380 feet. He had only one triple in 592 plate appearances last night. Heyward is batting .353 through his first 19 at-bats of the season.

Kyle Schwarber showed off his muscle in the second inning with a solo blast that traveled 424 feet to put the Cubs up 5-0.

Entering Sunday, the Cubs had 0 runs and only two hits in the first innings this season according to ESPN Stats and Information. In different contrast, nine of the first 12 Cubs batters reached base for the 5-0 lead. Heyward continued to impress offensively with a sharp line drive to center field with a hit velocity of 99 MPH but a diving catch by Ryan Braun ended the inning. Interestingly, Braun was booed several times during the game, mostly from a pro-Cubs crowd in his home ballpark. Braun also displayed his all-around ability with a three-run home run to center field in the third inning to put the Brewers only down by two runs at 5-3. For his career, Braun has hit .335 with 30 dingers against the Cubs.

In the seventh inning, Zobrist smacked a solo homer that traveled an estimated 400 feet as it was his second homer of the season. Heyward added to the lead with a two-out RBI single to score Russell to put the Cubs up 7-3 in the inning.

On the pitching side of things, veteran pitcher Jake Arrieta had an impressive performance going seven innings giving up three runs on three hits, two walks, and ten strikeouts. It was his 13th 10-strikeout performance of his career (all with Cubs). He is now 2-0 with a 2.07 ERA in 13 innings pitched in two starts this season.

Relievers Carl Edwards Jr. and Hector Rondon pitched the final two innings. Amazingly, the Brewers did not record a hit from the fourth inning to two outs in the ninth inning until a solo homer by Santana off of Rondon. Maddon went to the bullpen to get closer Wade Davis to throw one pitch to get the final out in a non-save situation.

The Cubs will now finally get their home opener on Monday to celebrate their World Series Championship at Wrigley Field. Lefty Jon Lester will take the mound vs. lefty Alex Wood at 7:08 CT on a nationally televised game on ESPN.

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