The Cubs had a four game weekend series against the Brewers. It would wind up being their first series loss, with the Boohooers taking 3 out of 4.
Bingo was a struggle. Like our boys, there were many missed chances.
August 13th:
Cubs win 4-2
Cubs won on a fantastic Yu Darvish outing. Darvish threw 6 no hit innings, before being broken up by a Smoak home run in the 7th. Darvish struck out 11 Brewers in a dominant outing. Sadler and Wick closed out the 8th and 9th innings.
Cubs bats provided a balanced attack. They wore down Brett Anderson, limiting him to 4.1 innings. Seven hits and five walks translated to four runs, enough to get it done. Kyle Schwarber had a solo home run. Ian Happ stayed hot, with 2 hits, a walk, an RBI and a run.
August 14th:
Cubs lose 4-3
Tyler Chatwood was scratched late with a back issue, so Alec Mills stepped up to pitch a day early. He was decent with 4 ER in 6 innings. He threw 4 perfect innings, before the Brewers started to line him up. The bullpen had 3 no-hit innings, with appearances from Tepera, Ryan, and Kimbrel. Kimbrel looked better, striking out two and walking one.
The Cubs scored just 3 runs, and did not homer. Happ, Kipnis and Rizzo each had RBIs. Jason Heyward had another multi-hit game.
August 15th:
Cubs lose 5-6 in 10 innings
This was a tough game. Colin Rea got a spot start with Mills shifting to compensate for Chatwood. With four hits and 3 ER in 3.1 innings, it was a quick outing. Winkler threw two innings allowing just one hit. Jeffress had his first tough outing, giving up 2 runs in the 10th.
The Cubs scored 5 times, with RIzzo and Souza hitting home runs. As a team, they left 9 runners on base, with 17 runners on chances for hitters. So many times they just needed one more hit. It was tough.
August 16th
Cubs lose 5-6
Starting was JOWN LESTA. Unfortunately he gave up two big home runs, leading to 5 ER in six innings. He gave up nine hits, and was noticeably less sharp than before. Kimbrel had a great 8th inning, going 1-2-3.
Offensively, the Cubs got off to a great start with 3 runs in the first. Kipnis and Souza had two RBIs apiece, and Schwarber had 2 runs scored. They had some good at bats against Hader in the 9th, but ultimately didn't get it done. Bote and Hoerner also had great PAs. Another tough loss, just by one run.
Cubs are now 13-5. Sparklespants are 13-3.