A four-run fourth inning doomed the Milwaukee Brewers Sunday as they dropped the rubber match against the Chicago Cubs 9-1.
Down 1-0 heading in the fourth inning, the Cubs batted around as the Brewers used starter Freddy Peralta and relievers Corey Knebel and Eric Lauer to end the inning with the game still in reach. Willson Contreas, Nico Hoerner, Victor Caratini, and Ian Happ all got RBI in the inning. Lauer pitched excellent in his Brewers debut, setting an MLB record for most strikeouts in the first outing with a new team at six spread out over 2 2/3 innings. Orlando Arcia continued his hot start to the season, driving in the sole Brewers run with a single in the fifth. The Cubs played long ball after that with homers by Contreas, Happ, and Anthony Rizzo to end the day.
The Brewers next head to Pittsburgh for a three-game set against the Pirates beginning Monday night at 6:05 p.m.