Chicago, IL – George Kottaras backed Yovani Gallardo's strong start with a two-run seventh-inning homer in the Brewers' 2-1 win over the Cubs on Wednesday.
Gallardo (1-1) went seven innings, allowing just one run on five hits while striking out six, Francisco Rodriguez stranded a pair in the eighth and John Axford worked around a two-out ninth-inning double for his second save of the season.
Mat Gamel added a single and a double for Milwaukee, which will look for the sweep of this four-game series on Thursday.
Starlin Castro knocked in a run in the first inning for the Cubs and Ryan Dempster (0-1) took the loss despite giving up just two runs on five hits over 6 2/3 innings.
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