Chicago Cubs Score and Recap (8/2/19): Cubs 6, Brewers 2 – Cubs’ Home Success Continues Against Brewers
The Cubs are a much better team at home than on the road. That fact has become even clearer in the second half of the season. On Friday Chicago returned to Wrigley Field and the home magic quickly followed in a fairly easy win over the Milwaukee Brewers.
Jason Heyward gave his team an immediate lead with a solo homer to left field to open the 1st inning. Ryan Braun tied it up immediately afterward with his own homer off of José Quintana in the 2nd inning.
The Cubs jumped ahead for good in the 3rd inning. Zach Davies allowed a single to Kris Bryant and then Javy Báez pounded a two-run jack to left field. Willson Contreras and David Bote singled to put men on the corners for Quintana, who hit his own single to give the Cubs a 4-1 lead.
Contreras and Báez each drove in a run with a ground out in the 5th and 6th innings. The Brewers scored on their own RBI ground out in the 7th inning. Rowan Wick, Brandon Kintzler, and Kyle Ryan pitched well out of the bullpen and the Cubs closed out the 6-2 victory. (Box score)
Why the Cubs Won
The Cubs were able to generate three runs without the aid of the long ball. That helped turn a somewhat close game into an easy victory. The starting pitching continued to look good, with the bullpen stepping in to close out the contest with relative ease.
Key Moment
After the Brewers tied the game in the 2nd inning it looked like another tense low scoring affair. Báez’s homer was a big moment, lifting up the crowd and giving the Cubs a multi-run lead they wouldn’t relinquish.
Stats That Matter
- After a couple iffy outings Quintana was quite good Friday: 6 IP, 2 R, 7 H, 5 K, and 0 BB.
- Javy had a huge day with the homer, two doubles, and three knocked in. He has been in a slump so this was nice to see.
- Kintzler switched gloves in the middle of his outing and also blew through the top of the Brewers order in the 8th. Very impressive.
Bottom Line
The Cubs looked like a completely different team at home again. Not sure why this keeps happening, but they need to take advantage of it while they’re at home.
On Deck
Game two of the series is Saturday at 1:20 CT. Cole Hamels is back off the IL and will be facing fellow lefty Gio Gonzalez. NBC Sports Chicago has the broadcast and 670 The Score has the radio feed.