Scott Feldman pitched six solid innings, Anthony Rizzo had a key two-run single and the Chicago Cubs held on to beat the Milwaukee Brewers 5-4 on Wednesday night.
Feldman (7-6) gave up just three runs and six hits while striking out three and walking none for his first victory this season against an NL Central Division opponent. He retired 11 of the last 14 batters he faced.
Kevin Gregg got the last three outs for his 12th save in 12 chances. It didn't come easy as he gave up a leadoff homer to Juan Francicso to pull the Brewers within a run. Rickie Weeks followed up with a double, advanced to third on a Logan Schafer's sacrifice bunt and then was thrown at home by third baseman Luis Valbuena on Yuniesky Betancourt's fielder's choice.
Starlin Castro returned to the Cubs' lineup with two hits and a run after sitting out Tuesday's game which snapped his 269 consecutive games played streak. Castro has been battling a terrible June slump, hitting .146 this month with no home runs and three RBIs.
Ryan Sweeney homered in the third inning and Valbuena had two hits, a run and an RBI. Valbuena scored on Rizzo's single in the fourth that was set up by an error by Brewers second baseman Rickie Weeks.
Yovani Gallardo (6-7) struggled with his command early and often, giving up five runs — three earned — and eight hits in four innings. He walked four and struck out five.
Gallardo came into the game with a 21-inning streak of not allowing an earned run. After escaping a first-inning jam, his streak was snapped at 22 innings when he gave up two runs in the second.
Chicago Baseball
Aramis Ramirez got his 2,000th career hit with a solo home run in the second inning. Ramirez, who ranks 15th in hits among active players, added a RBI single in the sixth inning.
