Fiers Strikes Out 12, Braun Homers As Brewers Beat Cubs
CHICAGO (AP) — Mike Fiers struck out 12 in six innings and Ryan Braun homered as the Milwaukee Brewers beat the Chicago Cubs, 6-1, on Saturday.
The Cubs got a scare in the second when rookie second baseman Addison Russell and first baseman Rizzo collided on Carlos Gomez's bloop single to shallow right field. Both players remained in the game.
The Cubs were sloppy, too. Logan Schafer hit a grounder in the ninth and wound up circling the bases when shortstop Starlin Castro made a throwing error, then Rizzo threw to third base, where no one covered the bag.
Fiers (1-3) and three relievers combined for 18 strikeouts. Rookie Kris Bryant fanned all four times up.
Rizzo homered for the Cubs' run.
Jake Arrieta (3-2) allowed four runs and seven hits in five innings.
Fiers walked two of his first three batters. He retired 12 straight before allowing a single to Chris Denorfia with one out in the fifth for the Cubs' first hit.
Fiers struck out a career-high 14 in six innings in his previous start at Wrigley Field last Aug. 14.
Milwaukee won for the fourth time in 17 games. The Brewers improved to 3-8 on the road and will try to win their first series of the season Sunday.
Braun hit a two-run drive, his fifth homer of the season, in the first. He has homered in three of four games.
Gomez, who returned from the disabled list before the game, stole two bases.
TRAINER'S ROOM
Brewers: Gomez had been out with an injured right hamstring. He batted leadoff and played center field. INF Luis Jimenez was designated for assignment. He was 0 for 15. ... 3B Aramis Ramirez (left hamstring tightness) was out of the lineup for the second straight game.
UP NEXT
Brewers: RHP Jimmy Nelson (1-2, 3.63) will start the series finale on Sunday. He is 0-2 with a 5.02 ERA in four career games against the Cubs.
Cubs: RHP Jason Hammel (2-1, 3.55) is 5-0 with a 1.85 ERA in six career starts against the Brewers.
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