Despite solid performances, Chicago Cubs starter Jason Hammel had not won since June 6. That winless streak ended Friday night as the Cubs (55-47) defeated the Milwaukee Brewers (44-60) 4-1 at Miller Park.
Hammel (W: 6-5, 3.13 ERA) pitched 5 2/3 innings, allowing one run on six hits in earning his first win in his last nine starts (video). During his eight-game winless stretch, Hammel lost three and received five no-decisions. He allowed four runs twice (four earned once) and six runs once. In the other five starts, he allowed three or fewer runs each time. He had a very solid 3.48 ERA during the winless streak but did not receive the run support needed to earn a win.
After he allowed a first-inning run, Hammel got that support from his offense. Starlin Castro drove in two runs with separate RBI-at bats. In the top of the second, Castro blooped one into left field to bring in Kris Bryant, who had walked and advanced to second. In the fourth, Castro bounced into a force out at second, beating the relay throw to first to keep the inning alive and allow Anthony Rizzo to score from third and give the Cubs a 2-1 lead. Rizzo singled to open the inning.
The Cubs added insurance in the sixth. Addison Russell lofted a two-out single into center, scoring Jorge Soler, who reached on an error to start the inning. Soler went to second on the overthrow from third baseman Elian Herrera.
Rizzo continued his recent power surge with a solo home run (19) in the seventh (video) to complete the scoring.
Milwaukee's lone run came in the bottom of the first on Ryan Braun's solo shot (19) with two outs (video). From then on, the Brewers collected only six more hits, two of them off the bat of starting pitcher Taylor Jungman and two more from center fielder Shane Peterson.
Jungman (L: 5-3, 2.23) was the tough-luck loser. With the depleted offense, his 5 2/3 innings of three-tun (two earned) ball were not enough. The Cubs did not hit the ball hard off Jungman, but they found holes. Jungman allowed seven hits while walking two and fanning seven.
Hector Rondon (S: 15) has reclaimed the closer's role with a save in his -- and the Cubs' -- third straight game. Before this week, Rondon's last save came on June 20. Rondon is also 4-2 with a 1.72 ERA and 0.98 WHIP in 48 appearances.
On Saturday, the Cubs will pitch Kyle Hendricks (4-5, 3.81) while Milwaukee will have former Cub Matt Garza (5-11, 5.20) on the mound. The first pitch is scheduled for 7:10 p.m. EDT.