Chicago Cubs Score and Recap (5/11/19): Cubs 2, Brewers 1 F/15 – Willson Contreras Walks Off Marathon Game

Due to time constraints, we may skip some of the action in this game. The Cubs and Brewers were tied atop the division when Saturday’s game began, but Cole Hamels and Zach Davies were long gone by the time it ended. A mere five hours after first pitch, the Cubs won to move back into first place.

Jason Heyward hit a triple to open the bottom of the 1st inning, which looked like a great omen. But then Kris Bryant grounded to Orlando Arcia at short and Heyward broke for home. Arcia uncorked a perfect throw and nailed the runner at the plate and the Cubs failed to score.

Hamels was sharp all afternoon and any baserunners he allowed were quickly erased by four double plays. His only mistake came in the 5th, when second baseman Hernán Pérez took him deep for a solo homer. Chicago answered right back in the bottom half as David Bote singled with two down and Albert Almora Jr. dumped a double down the right field line. Bote busted hard for home and just beat the throw with an El Mago-like slide.

The score would stay tied for a while, a long while actually. Tyler Chatwood took over in the in the 12th inning and kept the Brewers scoreless over the next four frames A Javy Báez double and two intentional walks loaded the bases with one out in the 13th. Milwaukee’s Burch Smith then struck out Chatwood and Addison Russell to extend the game.

Willson Contreras finally stopped the madness in the 15th inning when he took Smith very deep to left for the walk-off home run — the Cub’s third in five games — and a 2-1 Cubs win. (Box score)

Why the Cubs Won

Chatwood and the rest of the bullpen managed to keep a powerful Brewers lineup off the board long enough to get the win.

Key Moment

Bote’s fancy slide turned out to be huge for the Cubs. Sending him was the right move with two outs and the pitcher on deck. It also turned out tho be the only chance the home team had to score during the first nine innings.

Stats That Matter

• Hamels was really good on Saturday: 7 IP, 1 R, 3 H, 5 K, and 3 BB. The double play was his friend, but he was sharp. It kind of got lost in the extra innings hoopla.
• WillCo’s homer was his 10th of the season, which matches his total for all of last year. Looks like Big Willy is back, ladies and gentleman.
• Chatwood was the real hero: 4 IP, 0 R, 0 H, 7 K, and 3 BB. This is the second marathon game he has won this season.

Bottom Line

It wasn’t a thing of beauty for the Cubs, but a win is a win is a win, especially over this perpetually lucky Brewers team. So you’ll definitely take it and Chicago is back in first!

On Deck

The Cubs look for another series win on ESPN’s Sunday Night Baseball. The game starts at 6:08pm CT and features Jon Lester against Jhoulys Chacín. 670 the Score has the radio feed for those who’d prefer not to put up with the Four Letter.