Junior Guerra
Junior Guerra was making just his fourth major league start. He turned in another solid performance, allowing just five hits and striking out 11 in seven innings as the Milwaukee Brewers knocked off the division leading Chicago Cubs 5-3 at Miller Park.
Chris Carter and Kirk Nieuwenhuis clubbed home runs to lead the way offensively and with closer Jeremy Jeffress off limits, Michael Blazek and Tyler Thornburg worked the eighth and ninth innings to close out the win.
Thornburg walked the first two batters he saw, then pitched out of trouble to record his first career major league save. He said doing it against the rival Cubs is extra special.
The Brewers took two of three in the series, holding the high powered Cubs to seven runs in 31 innings.
Cubs starter Jason Hammel lost to the Brewers for the first time in his career, falling to 8-1.
Manager Craig Counsell called it a satisfying victory, considering they started the game without Ryan Braun, Jonathan Lucroy and Domingo Santana in the lineup.
The Brewers hit the road now. They’ll play a weekend series in New York against the Mets on Friday night.
AUDIO: Craig Counsell on the Brewers starters, including Junior Guerra :14
AUDIO: Craig Counsell called it a satisfying win :15
AUDIO: Tyler Thornburg said his first save coming against the Cubs is special :16