Chicago Cubs Score and Recap (8/30/19): Cubs 7, Brewers 1 – Castellanos Homers Twice in Cubs Win

The story of this game was Big Stick Nick, who blasted two homers in the Cubs’ 7-1 win over the loser Milwaukee Brewers.

The Cubs offense started the scoring right away in the first inning when Ian Happ greeted Milwaukee starter Chase Anderson with a leadoff double. Nicholas Castellanos then launched a changeup deep into the left-field bleachers for a two-run homer.

José Quintana made it 3-0 by doubling home David Bote in the second inning. Yes, you read that correctly: Jose Quintana smacked an RBI double.

The Cubs weren’t done scoring in the second inning. Castellanos hit another homer with a two-run laser to left. The right fielder’s bomb was his 11th since joining the Cubs, which coincidentally matches his total during the first four months of the season in Detroit. After two innings, the Cubs were already up big 5-0.

Jose Quintana held the Brewers scoreless for 5.2 innings before being removed for David Phelps. Q looked sharp, but his pitch count rose over 100 pitches before he could finish the sixth inning.

The Cubs continued to pour it on the Brewers late in the game. Victor Caratini stayed hot with an RBI single in the 7th inning. Kyle Schwarber blasted homer number 32 in the 8th.

Manny Piña spoiled the shut out with his own RBI single off Pedro Strop in the 8th, but one run was all Milwaukee would get, as the Cubs sealed the deal with a 7-1 victory.

Why the Cubs Won

The Cubs scored 5 runs in the first two innings to give Quintana an early cushion. You can thank Big Stick Nick for his first and second inning two-run homers.

Key Moment

With the Cubs up 5-0, Christian Yelich doubled and Ryan Braun and Yasmani Grandal walked to load the bases in the fourth inning. Fortunately, Quintana struck out Pina and Hernán Pérez to keep the score at 5-0.

Stats That Matter

• A solid line for the Jose Quintana: 5.2 IP, 0 R, 4 H, 3 K, and 2 BB. It’s also a good sign when your pitcher drives in more runs than he gives up.
• David Bote had a perfect day at the plate with a double, a single, and two walks.
• With two more hits on Friday, Caratini is now 10 for his last 15. That is a .666 batting average for the math impaired.

Bottom Line

Castellanos is a machine at the plate right now. The Cubs have also reached 12 games above .500 for the first time in 2019.

On Deck

Game two of the series is Saturday at 1:20pm CT. Zach Davies will battle Cole Hamels on NBC Sports Chicago and 670 the Score.