Chicago, IL – Carlos Gomez singled in the game's first run in the ninth inning and Jeff Bianchi and Rickie Weeks added two-run doubles in Milwaukee's 5-0 win over the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field.
Cubs right-hander Jeff Samardzija, the subject of trade rumors, came off the mound to a standing ovation after allowing only three hits and fanning seven over seven innings. Kyle Lohse limited the hosts to five hits over six frames.
The opener of this four-game series was left up to the bullpen, namely Pedro Strop (1-1), who faltered in the ninth. Jean Segura walked and Jonathan Lucroy singled to start the inning. Gomez then hit a bloop single to center. The throw home was late.
Caleb Gindl put down a bunt in front of the plate. The throw from catcher Welington Castillo pulled third baseman Luis Valbuena off the base.
One out later, Bianchi doubled to right field to create a three-run margin. Blake Parker struck out pinch-hitter Yuniesky Betancourt, but Weeks followed with a fly ball down the right-field line. The ball landed in front of a diving Nate Schierholtz.
Brandon Kintzler (3-0) retired the side in order in the eighth and Rob Wooten didn't allow a hit in the ninth.
Samardzija didn't give up a hit until Gindl's single with two outs in the fifth.
Milwaukee put two men in scoring position in the sixth, but Segura struck out to end the inning.
"I know when Samardzija has his location you're not going to score a lot off him," Brewers manager Ron Roenicke said. "When he's throwing those pitches over for strikes you're going to have trouble."
The Cubs, who had six hits, had swept a three-game set at San Francisco over the weekend with wins by a run each time.
"We feel great going into every game. We play every game tough. We hope to continue that momentum the rest of the season," Samardzija said.
Game Notes
These teams will play a day/night doubleheader Tuesday ... Milwaukee leads the season series, 6-3 ... Brewers right fielder Norichika Aoki went 0-for-5 and had a nine-game hitting streak broken.
Receive your weekly recap of all the happenings around the world of sports.