Chicago Cubs Score and Recap (8/14/20): Brewers 4, Cubs 3 – Mills Makes One Mistake, Yelich Makes It Hurt

The Cubs has to push Saturday starter Alec Mills up a day because of Tyler Chatwood was forced out by back stiffness. While Mills filled in admirably on short notice, the Cubs couldn’t do enough offensively against the Brewers bullpen and they lost 4-3.

Until Avisail Garcia walked in the top of the 5th, literally no damage had been done by either team as Milwaukee starter Brandon Woodruff and Mills were locked in a stellar pitcher’s duel. That changed for both in that 5th, however, as Mills gave up a run on a double play ball and Woodruff suffered death by a thousand cuts — or maybe just four hits and a couple walks — as he gave up three in the bottom of the frame.

The Cubs got the first of their three runs in that 5th thanks to sharp singles from Jason Heyward and David Bote, followed by a Jason Kipnis doink into center that plated Heyward. Nico Hoerner then loaded the bases on a walk and was plated by another walk by Ian Happ. Anthony Rizzo then tacked on the third run of the inning as he singled into center.

Unfortunately, the Cubs left the bases loaded there as Javy Báez and Kyle Schwarber both fanned off Woodruff’s replacement, Freddy Peralta, to end the inning.

Mills was cruising along until he gave up a soft liner to Eric Sogard in the 6th and then hit Keston Hiura. Then came his one big mistake as Yelich launched a hanging change into the seats in right field to put the Brewers up 4-3.

Peralta and Devin Williams kept the Cubs off the board before giving way to Josh Hader with two outs in the 8th inning. The Cubs were unable to do much with him despite a couple walks and a HBP and he slammed the door shut. (Box score)

Why the Cubs Lost

Despite the fact that he hasn’t done much against them this season, the Cubs let Yelich beat them with his three-run bomb in the 6th. They just can’t let Yelich beat them this year considering the lineup the Brewers are running out there.

Key Moment

Not scoring when they had the bases loaded a couple times sure hurt, but Yelich hitting one into the seats in right completely changed the game.

Stats That Matter

• The Cubs struck out 15 times against the Brewers on the night and only walked twice. That’s not gonna get it done most nights.
• Mills was really good outside of the Yelich bomb: 6 IP, 4 H, 1 ER, 7 K, 1 BB would have looked a lot nicer than the 5 hits and 4 ER he ended up being charged with.
• Despite the loss, Craig Kimbrel worked a really good top of the 9th in a one run game: he struck out two and walked one, but looked sharper.
• The six-hole did most of the damage tonight as Heyward was 2-for-3 with a run before giving way to Steven Souza Jr., who drew a big walk against Hader in the 8th.
• The top five guys in the Cubs’ order were a combined 2-for-21 tonight. Woof.

Bottom Line

The Cubs dropped their first game since last Thursday, but they can get right back on the horse Saturday afternoon by starting a new winning streak.

On Deck

The Cubs get back at it in a Saturday afternoon game that was supposed to be a night game before being moved up because of possible bad weather. Right-hander Adrian Houser will take the ball for the Brewers while the Cubs will go with Colin Rea. Game time is 2:20pm CT on Marquee and 670 The Score.