Despite Late Rally, Chicago Cubs Lose Sunday Finale to Milwaukee Brewers

The Chicago Cubs dropped their second consecutive series with a loss to the Milwaukee Brewers on Sunday.

In a game that saw multi-hit performances from Nico Hoerner, Ian Happ, and Franmil Reyes, the Chicago Cubs were defeated by the Milwaukee Brewers 9-7 on Sunday.

Despite a rally in the top of the ninth inning, the Cub’s bullpen was unable to contain the strong Brewers offense as the game wore on in the series' rubber match.

With the Brewers’ victory, the Cubs have now lost two series in a row after a stretch of winning six consecutive.

Chicago Cubs shortstop Nico Hoerner celebrates after his home run on Sunday.  / © Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports

Chicago was quick to score against Milwaukee starter Eric Lauer, with RBI singles from Nico Hoerner in the first inning and Seiya Suzuki in the second.

Making his 12th start on the season, right-hander Adrian Sampson took the ball for Chicago and kept the Milwaukee offense quiet, allowing just one run in his 3.1 innings of work.

With Sampson only lasting into the fourth inning, the Chicago bullpen looked to hold the team’s slim one-run lead.

They were not up to the task.

The Brewers’ offense exploded for four runs in the bottom of the fourth inning off of relief pitcher Sean Newcomb, capped off by a three-run home run by Christian Yelich.

Just an inning later, Milwaukee second baseman Kolten Wong joined Yelich in the home run brigade.

Both Milwaukee hitters went three for five at the plate with two RBIs.

Up until the ninth inning, the Cubs’ offensive attempts of getting back in the ballgame were stifled by the Milwaukee bullpen.

Chicago Cubs designated hitter Seiya Suzuki on Sunday in Milwaukee.  / © Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports

However, the game got interesting after Franmil Reyes hit his third home run in a Cubs uniform to cut the Brewers lead to two with no outs in the top of the ninth.

After a Hoerner single, the tying run was at the plate for Chicago and the Brewers were forced to call upon closer Devin Williams to try and secure the victory.

Looking for his ninth save on the season, Williams struck out Yan Gomes and got slugger Willson Contreras to ground into a double play and efficiently end the ballgame.

Despite the loss, Nico Hoerner’s strong day at the plate signals that his rough stretch at the plate might be over. After eight consecutive hitless games, his three-hit (including a home run) performance on Sunday is his second in his last five games.

Beginning tomorrow night, the Cubs will head to Toronto for the first time since 2017 for a three-game series with the Blue Jays. Chicago can look to play spoiler as Toronto is grasping at a slim lead in the American League wildcard standings. 

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