The Rundown: Cubs Dropkicked in Milwaukee, Brewers Go For Sweep, Hamels Named August NL Pitcher of the Month

Photo of Michael Canter Michael CanterSeptember 5, 2018

The Brewers won in dramatic fashion Monday, defeating the Cubs, 4-3. Tuesday’s game was a decidedly more lopsided 11-1 game, though still in Milwaukee’s favor.

That was one ugly game, but I’ve seen worse in my lifetime. Mostly because if you’re lucky you only see something like what follows once. I can’t believe nobody punched the home plate umpire. And what the heck was Billy Madlock doing here? Someone needs to bring up this incident at the CubsCon ’19 Old-Timers Q&A.

The Cubs are playing like a team that badly needs some rest. In fact, I believe the Brewers scored their first seven runs without registering a hit, the mark of any overtired team.

  • Ryan Braun scored on a wild pitch
  • Hernan Perez scored on a sacrifice fly
  • Lorenzo Cain scored on a sacrifice fly
  • Travis Shaw scored on an error by Victor Caratini
  • Orlando Arcia scored on a passed ball by Willson Contreras
  • Domingo Santana scored on a bases-loaded HBP by Dillon Maples and
  • Erik Kratz scored on a sacrifice fly.

The Cliff’s Notes version? Chicago committed three errors, walked eight (including Cain four times), had a passed ball account for a run, a wild pitch account for a run, gave up three sacrifice flies, and hit a batter for a run. It’s not often we see a Cubs team look so abysmal.

Mike Montgomery got a quick hook thanks to another puzzling pitching change by Joe Maddon, and the bullpen gave up nine runs to put the game out of reach for a Cubs offense that seems to have once again lost its mojo. Maybe Maddon had seen enough of Montgomery getting into deep counts despite giving up just two hits and one earned run.

It was nothing but unadulterated ickiness and now the Cubs need to avoid being swept tomorrow, which would cut their lead to two games. Let’s hope Jose Quintana packed his “A” game. Q allowed five runs over five innings in his last start against Milwaukee, a 7-0 loss at Wrigley Field on Aug. 14, but is 3-1 with a 1.32 ERA in five career starts at Miller Park.

Brewers hitters have an .917 OPS (550 PAs) against starting pitchers over the last 30 days, best in all of baseball. The Brew Crew have won five of the last six games between the two teams.

Cubs News & Notes

Anthony Rizzo left last night’s game with a right foot contusion suffered after fouling a ball off his foot in the 3rd inning. X-rays were negative and Rizzo played a few more innings before coming out of the game.

The Cubs selected the contract of Jaime Garcia and will use him in the bullpen. He is eligible for postseason play.

Maybe Garcia can grab some innings when Carl Edwards, Jr. isn’t quite feeling it.

Side Note: Brewers play-by-play announcer Brian Anderson was absolutely atrocious last night, lobbying for the official scorer to change a 4th-inning error by Javy Baez to a hit so Montgomery would be charged with an earned run. I think after three innings of complaining you have to let that one die on the vine. For what its worth, he was still moaning about it post-game and believes the Brewers are going to take the division.

How about a big hand for Darryl Wilson? When are the Cubs home again?

On this day 100 years ago, the Red Sox and Cubs began an historic World Series at Comiskey Park in Chicago.

Cole Hamels was selected as the National League Pitcher of the Month for August.

How About That!

Ryan Stanek of the Rays became the first rookie to start start back-to-back games since the St. Louis Cardinals’ Red Munger got one out in a loss to Philadelphia on July 28, 1943, then pitched a complete-game victory over the Phillies the following day, according to the Elias Sports Bureau. Stanek threw 16 pitches Monday and 10 last night as Tampa’s designated “opener.”

The Cardinals stopped their three-game losing streak by clubbing five home runs, including a grand slam by Yadier Molina, as St. Louis beat the Nationals 11-8.

The Mariners had a pregame altercation in their clubhouse yesterday.

Former Philadelphia Phillies All-Star Ryan Howard officially announced his retirement from Major League Baseball after 13 seasons in a letter posted to The Player’s Tribune.

Los Angeles Dodgers closer Kenley Jansen might miss the upcoming series against the Colorado Rockies because of concerns over his irregular heartbeat.

Believe it or not, Bryce Harper has never had 100 RBI in a season before. His career-high is 99, which he recorded during his 2015 MVP campaign. He is on pace to finish this season with 104 runs batted in.

Tuesday’s Three Stars

  1. Robby Ray – The Diamondbacks’ hurler threw 6 1/3 innings of shutout ball with 10 punchouts in beating the Padres 6-0. Ray gave up just two singles to the punchless Friars.
  2. Mike Clevinger – The Cleveland starter was dominating last night as the Indians beat the Royals 8-2. Clevinger allowed one run on three hits with 10 strikeouts in six innings of work.
  3. Jake Arrieta – The former Cubs ace had double-digit strikeouts for the first time since beating the Pirates on April 19. Last night he registered 11 strikeouts over 7 1/3 innings as the Phillies beat the Marlins 9-4.

Extra Innings

St. Louis picked up a 1st-inning out when Harper walked on a 3-2 pitch with Trea Turner running from first. Despite the walk, catcher Molina threw to second baseman Yairo Munoz. The Cardinals appealed the play, and upon review Turner was called out. Though entitled to second base via Harper’s walk, Turner slid past the bag and was tagged out.

They Said It

  • “I look at it like we’re spending way too much time trying to classify a rivalry. Enjoy the baseball games, man. Home, road, I’m happy I’m in the building….Rivalry, whatever, man. Put me in the building and let me enjoy the game. I’m good.” – Craig Counsell
  • “I didn’t like the acquisitions of Cain and Yelich here at all. I thought that was a great move on their part. They’ve augmented the rest of their group. Their bench is outstanding. They’ve done a really nice job with that, and they have power arms in the bullpen. As their starters become more efficient, there’s no telling how good these guys can be. As a group, it’s high end.” – Joe Maddon
  • “You guys can panic. We won’t do that. We’ll take it day by day. We’ll come on and play tomorrow and try to take a win. … They came out hot today and they beat us.” – Albert Almora Jr.

Wednesday Walk Up Song

Driver 8 by R.E.M. – Looks like it’s gonna be an R.E.M. week for those of you keeping score at home.

Photo of Michael Canter Michael CanterSeptember 5, 2018
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