Ariel Pena: Photo by Bill Greenblatt/UPI
Chicago ace Jake Arrieta wrapped up his regular season work by holding the Milwaukee Brewers without a run on just two-hits in six-innings. The Cubs pulled out a 6-1 win in the series opener at Miller Park.
Arrieta (22-6) struck out seven in a 72-pitch outing to become the first 22-game winner in the major leagues since Justin Verlander went 24-5 for the Detroit Tigers in 2011.
The Cubs kept their hopes of hosting the National League wild card game alive, but a Cubs loss or a Pittsburgh victory in the final two days of the season would mean that wild card game would be played at P-N-C Park in Pittsburgh.
Arrieta finished the season with a 1.77 ERA and 20 straight quality starts. He went 11-0 with a 0.41 ERA since August 1.
Ariel Pena provided the opposition for the Brewers and he started strong, tying a career high with five strikeouts over the first two innings. He ended up working 4 1/3 innings in taking his first loss of the season.
The Brewers only run came after Arrieta left. Khris Davis clubbed a home run. Davis had two of the Brewers four hits on the night.