Ramirez Homers, Drives In 3 To Lead Brewers Over Cubs
CHICAGO (AP) — Aramis Ramirez homered and broke an eighth-inning tie with a two-run single, helping the Milwaukee Brewers beat the Chicago Cubs, 5-3, on Sunday for their first consecutive wins this season.
Milwaukee, a big league-worst 7-18 following a 2-13 start, took two of three against the Cubs for its first series win of the year.
Brewers shortstop Jean Segura left after he was hit on the helmet by a pitch from Pedro Strop (0-1) in the eighth inning. Segura initially took first base after he was examined by the training staff for several minutes. He then was replaced by pinch-runner Hector Gomez.
After Ryan Braun grounded into a double play, Ramirez singled for a 5-3 lead.
Will Smith (1-0) got one out for the win, and Francisco Rodriguez pitched the ninth for his fourth save in four chances.
Ramirez, who missed the previous two games due to left hamstring tightness, homered in the second against Jason Hammel. Batting eighth, Hammel tied the score with a sacrifice fly in the bottom half.
Brewers starter Jimmy Nelson doubled in the bottom half and scored on Carlos Gomez's single. Nelson's fourth career hit and second double was the first hit by a Brewers pitcher since opening day.
Khris Davis' sacrifice fly made it 3-1 in the fourth but Chicago tied the score in the fifth. Anthony Rizzo hit a run-scoring triple on a ball that dropped behind Carlos Gomez, who drifted back slowly in center. Kris Bryant was jammed and popped the ball into short right field. Second baseman Elian Herrera, trying for a basket catch about 50 feet onto the outfield grass with his back to the plate, allowed the ball to drop out of the webbing of his glove for a tying double.
Nelson gave up three runs and seven hits in 6 2-3 innings. Hammel allowed three runs and five hits in six innings.
TRAINER'S ROOM
Brewers: 2B Scooter Gennett (cut hand) was 1 for 4 in two games during a rehab assignment with Class A Wisconsin. He is eligible to come off the DL Tuesday. ... Carlos Gomez (hamstring) played the full game after going six innings Saturday in his return from the disabled list.
Cubs: RHP Anthony Varvaro was claimed off waivers from Boston on Sunday. LHP Joseph Ortiz was designated for assignment. Varvaro allowed five runs in 11 innings in nine games this season with the Red Sox before he was designated for assignment April 29. He was 3-3 with a 2.63 ERA in 61 games with Atlanta last season.
UP NEXT
Brewers: RHP Kyle Lohse (1-4, 7.28 ERA) is to start the series opener Monday against the Los Angeles Dodgers. Opponents are hitting .288 against him.
Cubs: LHP Travis Wood (2-1, 3.04) is to start the series opener Monday against St. Louis. He is 5-6 with a 5.18 ERA in 16 starts against the Cardinals.
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