The Milwaukee Brewers are heading back to the postseason for the fourth straight season! Thanks to another strong Corbin Burnes start, and some clutch hitting, the Brewers defeated the Cubs 6-4 on Saturday night, their 11th straight victory over Chicago.
It was a banner night for backup catcher Manny Pina, who went 2-for-3 with a pair of home runs, bringing his season total up to 12 long balls. Pina got the Brewers scoring started in the second inning with a solo home run.
The Cubs, already eliminated from postseason contention, were pesky and kept the game interesting throughout. Chicago brought a run across in the top of the 3rd to tie the game, and the Brewers responded with a solo home run from Eduardo Escobar.
In the top of the 5th, the Cubs took a 3-2 lead on a two run homer from Ian Happ off Corbin Burnes. But once again in the bottom half of the inning, the Brewers responded. A Christian Yelich double was followed by a Luis Urias single up the middle to tie the game back up at 3 apiece.
The Brewers then took a 4-3 on a solo home run from the journeyman Jace Peterson in the bottom of the sixth. But it was the Cubs turn to respond this time, and they did, tying the game at 4 on a Willson Contreras homer in the top half of the seventh off Brad Boxberger, who has been dominant for the Crew this season.
Heading to the bottom of the eighth, the Brewers would not be denied as Manny Pina started off the inning with a solo blast to left field the hugged the line but stayed fair. Milwaukee would add on some insurance as well. Following a Pablo Reyes double, Kolten Wong singles and Reyes makes the run for home. The throw beats him there, but Reyes pulls off a swim move worthy of a Gold medal at the Olympics on the slide in to home plate and is ruled safe.
Josh Hader came on to close it out in the ninth and secured the 6-4 victory.
Corbin Burnes had yet another quality start, going six innings, allowing three runs and striking out 11. He has 25 strikeouts in has last two outings, which ties a franchise record with Yovani Gallardo for most Ks by a pitcher in consecutive outings.
With the Padres loss, the Brewers officially clinched a postseason berth and will at the very, absolute worst, be a Wild Card team. They're still in a commanding 12.5 game lead in the NL Central and the magic number to clinch the division is down to 3.
The final game for the Brewers against the Cubs this season is Sunday at 1:10 PM.