Arrieta wins again as Cubs move to 16-5 on the season
Photo: Dennis Wierzbicki USA Today SPORTS

Arrieta wins again as Cubs move to 16-5 on the season


by - Senior Editor -

The Brewers had their chances against Jake Arrieta in the first inning, but that was about it in a Cubs 7-2 victory.

In his first start since his no-hitter against the Reds, Jake Arrieta (5-0) gave up a lead off single and two walks but the Brewers failed to a score. The Brewers did force Arrieta to throw 31 pitches in the inning.

Ben Zobrist put the Cubs up 2-0 with a two-run single in the first off of Brewer starter Taylor Jungmann (0-4). David Ross hit a 420-foot homer in the second to add the Cubs' third run. It was the 98th homer of the veteran's career.

Arrieta got Ryan Braun to hit into a double play to end a Brewers' threat in the third.

Anthony Rizzo doubled down the right field line to drive in Kris Bryant, and Tommy La Stella followed with a double off the left field wall to make it 5-0 in the bottom of the third. However, Bryant was taken after the innings as he rolled his right ankle running the bases. Javier Baez replaced him in left field.

Presley's RBI double in the 5th got the Brewers on the board and ended Arrieta's 52 2/3 scoreless inning streak at Wrigley Field. It was the second-longest home scoreless streak in baseball history.

Arrieta was lifted after five solid innings after giving up only one run, three hits, three walks, and striking out six batters. The Cubs decided not to rest him on a cold windy afternoon after throwing only 92 pitches.

Dexter Fowler grounded out with the bases loaded to make it 6-1 in the bottom of the fifth inning. He has reached base safely 43 times this season.

Former Cubs pitcher Steve Trout sang take me out to the ball game during the 7th inning stretch.

Fun Stat: The Cubs had a season high 11 walks during today's game and it is already the third time that the Cubs have 10 or more walks on the season. For the season, the Cubs have 112 walks in 20 games and 6 innings which converts to a walk rate of 13.5 percent.

On Friday at Wrigley Field: LHP Jon Lester (2-1, 1.98 ERA) vs. RHP Aaron Blair (0-1, 5.06 ERA) at 1:20 CT.

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