|
|
|
|
 |
|
Scores Schedules Standings Statistics Transactions Injuries: AL | NL Players Weekly Lineup Message Board Minor Leagues MLB Stat Search Clubhouses |
| Sport Sections |
|
|
| |
Wednesday, Sep. 20 8:05pm ET
Bumbling Cubs lose 18 of last 20 | |||||
|
| ||||||
|
RECAP
|
BOX SCORE
|
GAME LOG
MILWAUKEE (AP) -- Jeromy Burnitz believes it's time a few breaks started going in the direction of the Milwaukee Brewers. Burnitz and Geoff Jenkins hit solo home runs in the ninth inning and the Brewers scored in the 10th on first baseman Mark Grace's error to beat the Chicago Cubs 3-2 Wednesday night. "It's about time things started going out way," said Burnitz, who is batting only .225 but has 27 homers and a team-high 89 RBIs. "The way I've been going I wasn't looking for anything but the ball, just trying to hit it hard." He did, sending the ball 370 feet one out after Jenkins connected off Jon Lieber, who was two outs from his seventh complete game of the season. Lieber took a shutout into the ninth, but was lifted after the two homers. "It all boils down to mistakes," Lieber said. "The pitches they hit were mistakes." Pinch-hitter Ron Belliard singled to start the Brewers 10th. He took third when Kyle Farnsworth (1-9) threw away Marquis Grissom's bunt trying for a force at second. After Mark Loretta was intentionally walked to load the bases, Will Ohman relieved with no outs. Jenkins hit a grounder that glanced off Grace's glove, scoring Belliard. "(Ohman) got a great hitter to hit the ball to me and that's what you want," Grace said. "You want the ball hit to you and, unfortunately, I didn't make the play." A day earlier, the Brewers beat the Cubs 9-8 when third baseman Shane Andrews' error scored the winning run in the ninth. Farnsworth also took the loss in that game. Curtis Leskanic (7-3) pitched two hitless innings. His seventh win ties a career high set in 1996 with Colorado. Lieber gave up five hits through eight innings, walking none and striking out six. Making his career-high 33rd start, he faced only four batters over the minimum through seven innings. "Lieber's been our best pitcher all year," Chicago manager Don Baylor said. "He had a low amount of pitches (102), never really was in trouble and then he made two mistakes." The Cubs took a 2-0 lead against Jamey Wright in the second on RBI singles by Lieber and Eric Young. But Wright settled down, going eight innings and allowing eight eights while striking out four and walking one. "It was unfortunate he didn't get the win," Milwaukee manager Davey Lopes said. "He was great and that's the kind of consistency we're looking for in our starters. He's had four or five good ones in a row." Wright said, "I kind of settled in the last three or four innings. I wasn't too comfortable until then." The game was delayed 32 minutes because of rain with two outs in the top of the third inning with the bases. When play resumed, Jeff Reed grounded out. The Cubs have lost eight straight and 18 of their last 20 games. The Brewers have only seven home games left before closing County Stadium, starting with a four-game series Thursday against Pittsburgh. "It's just a good feeling to start this last homestand with a sweep," Wright said. Game notesThe Brewers, completing their first-ever three-game sweep of the Cubs in Milwaukee, won the season series with Chicago 7-6. ... The Cubs were 60-93 all-time at County Stadium against the Braves (1953-65) and Brewers (1970-2000). ... Warren Spahn will throw a ceremonial pitch to Del Crandall prior to the final game at County Stadium on Sept. 28. They represented the battery for the Milwaukee Braves against the St. Louis Cardinals in the first game at County Stadium on April 14, 1953. ... Burnitz's homer was the 150th of his career. | ALSO SEE Baseball Scoreboard Chicago Cubs Clubhouse Milwaukee Clubhouse RECAPS Baltimore 2 Oakland 0
Oakland 4
Cleveland 5
Milwaukee 3
| |||||