Kyle Schwarber hit two of the Chicago Cubs' five home runs (video) as the red-hot Cubs (65-48) defeated the Milwaukee Brewers (48-68) 9-2 Thursday afternoon at Wrigley Field. With the win, the Cubs completed a three-game sweep as part of an undefeated seven-game home stand. They have now won 13 of their last 14 games.
Schwarber hit his first home run (7), a solo shot, in the bottom of the fifth as the back-end of back-to-back home runs with Dexter Fowler. Schwarber's shot was a no-doubter just moments after Fowler had to wait for the results of a replay review to determine that he, indeed, had a two-run home run (12). Fowler lined a pitch that hit the top of the wall behind the Wrigley Field basket in right.
Umpires initially ruled the ball in play. Addison Russell scored from first, and Fowler trotted into second for what was ruled a double. Replay officials upheld manager Joe Maddon's plea that the ball left the yard, and Fowler had his home run. After Schwarber's blast next, the Cubs had a 4-1 lead. One out later, Anthony Rizzo homered (22) to extend that lead to 5-1 by inning's end.
Schwarber connected again in the seventh (8) with Fowler aboard, and he finished the day 3-for-4 with two home runs, two runs scored, and four RBI. Fowler was 2-for-3 with two RBI and three runs scored.
The Cubs added two more in the eighth on Chris Denorfia's solo shot (2) and Schwarber's RBI single to left, scoring Fowler again.
The Cubs started the scoring in the second on Jorge Soler's RBI single. Milwaukee scored single runs in the third (Ryan Braun RBI infield single) and sixth (Hernan Perez RBI single).
Jon Lester (W: 8-8, 3.21 ERA) has quietly returned to form after his slow start to the season. He pitched six innings, allowing two runs on seven hits. He walked two and struck out 10.
Lester, though, allowed four stolen bases in the third inning as he still has inhibitions about throwing to bases. His throwing error moved Jean Segura into scoring position. Segura then stole third and scored on Braun's high chopper. Braun then stole second and third, and Khris Davis, who walked, also stole second.
Tyler Cravy (L: 0-4, 5.92) allowed four earned runs on four hits, two home runs, in 4.1 innings. He walked four and struck out three. All four Brewers relievers gave up runs.
The Cubs will stay in town but visit the Chicago White Sox for a weekend series beginning Friday. Milwaukee will return to Miller Park for three games with the Philadelphia Phillies.
Chicago has won seven-straight games but are still eight games behind the St. Louis Cardinals in the NL Central. However, if the season ended today, the Cubs would make the playoffs as they hold down the second Wild Card spot in the National League, five games ahead of the San Francisco Giants.