Christian Yelich scored on Ryan Braun's ninth-inning sacrifice fly, Brandon Woodruff pitched seven innings of one-hit ball and the Milwaukee Brewers beat the Chicago Cubs 1-0 on Friday night as they tried to climb back into playoff contention.
Woodruff, Devin Williams and Josh Hader (1-1) combined on a two-hitter with 16 strikeouts. Coming off a 19-0 rout of Detroit, Milwaukee pitchers extended their scoreless streak to 19 innings . The Brewers have pitched consecutive shutouts for the first time since Aug. 31 and Sept. 1 last year Wrigley Field.
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Christian Yelich scored on Ryan Braun's ninth-inning sacrifice fly, Brandon Woodruff pitched seven innings of one-hit ball and the Milwaukee Brewers beat the Chicago Cubs 1-0 on Friday night as they tried to climb back into playoff contention.
Braun greeted Jeremy Jeffress with a fly to right fielder Jason Heyward a few steps in front of the warning track. Yelich scored without a throw.
Lester entered with a 5.80 ERA and had allowed at least five earned runs in four of his previous five starts. He struck out eight and yielded only three hits over six innings against a lineup that had a franchise-record 13 extra-base hits in Wednesday's blowout of the Tigers.
Kris Bryant hit a two-out triple in the eighth off the wall in right center, but Williams struck out Anthony Rizzo. Opposing batters had gone hitless in 31 at-bats against Williams dating to Kyle Schwarber's double on Aug. 14.
TRAINER’S ROOM
Kyle Hendricks (5-4, 3.41 ERA) starts Saturday for the Cubs and Brett Anderson (2-3, 4.64) for the Brewers.
Chicago Cubs starting pitcher Jon Lester throws during the first inning of a baseball game against the Milwaukee Brewers Friday, Sept. 11, 2020, in Milwaukee. (AP PhotoMorry Gash)
Chicago Cubs starting pitcher Jon Lester throws during the second inning of a baseball game against the Milwaukee Brewers Friday, Sept. 11, 2020, in Milwaukee. (AP PhotoMorry Gash)
Milwaukee Brewers starting pitcher Brandon Woodruff throws during the third inning of a baseball game against the Chicago Cubs Friday, Sept. 11, 2020, in Milwaukee. (AP PhotoMorry Gash)
Yelich walked leading off the ninth, and took third on Jedd Gyorko’s single to right off Rowan Wick (0-1), just the fourth hit for the Brewers.
Milwaukee Brewers' Ryan Braun is congratulated after hitting a game-winning sacrifice fly during the ninth inning of a baseball game against the Chicago Cubs Friday, Sept. 11, 2020, in Milwaukee. The Brewers won 1-0. (AP PhotoMorry Gash)
Braun greeted Jeremy Jeffress with a fly to right fielder Jason Heyward a few steps in front of the warning track. Yelich scored without a throw.
Milwaukee is third in the NL Central at 20-22, four games back of the division-leading Cubs and also trailing St. Louis. The Brewers have not been above .500 all season.
Former All-Stars Jon Lester and Woodruff matched up in a pitcher's duel following frustrating stretches.
Milwaukee Brewers' Ryan Braun is congratulated after hitting a game-winning sacrifice fly during the ninth inning of a baseball game against the Chicago Cubs Friday, Sept. 11, 2020, in Milwaukee. The Brewers won 1-0. (AP PhotoMorry Gash)
Lester entered with a 5.80 ERA and had allowed at least five earned runs in four of his previous five starts. He struck out eight and yielded only three hits over six innings against a lineup that had a franchise-record 13 extra-base hits in Wednesday's blowout of the Tigers.
Woodruff had lasted just 4 1/3 innings in his prior start, a 4-3 loss at Cleveland, and said “not getting through five innings is kind of a disgrace.”
This time, Woodruff allowed his only hit when Ian Happ singled to left center leading off the sixth.
Milwaukee Brewers' Ryan Braunhits a game-winning sacrifice fly during the ninth inning of a baseball game against the Chicago Cubs Friday, Sept. 11, 2020, in Milwaukee. The Brewers won 1-0. (AP PhotoMorry Gash)
Kris Bryant hit a two-out triple in the eighth off the wall in right center, but Williams struck out Anthony Rizzo. Opposing batters had gone hitless in 31 at-bats against Williams dating to Kyle Schwarber's double on Aug. 14.
CUBS MOVE
The Cubs recalled left-hander Rex Brothers from their alternate training site in South Bend, Indiana. They optioned right-hander Adbert Alzolay to South Bend.
Milwaukee Brewers' Ryan Braun is congratulated after hitting a game-winning sacrifice fly during the ninth inning of a baseball game against the Chicago Cubs Friday, Sept. 11, 2020, in Milwaukee. The Brewers won 1-0. (AP PhotoMorry Gash)
TRAINER’S ROOM
Cubs manager David Ross said Jason Kipnis is “dealing with a little something” he didn't specify, explaining why the second baseman hasn’t played since Tuesday. Ross said Kipnis will play soon.
UP NEXT
Chicago Cubs starting pitcher Jon Lester throws during the first inning of a baseball game against the Milwaukee Brewers Friday, Sept. 11, 2020, in Milwaukee. (AP PhotoMorry Gash)
Kyle Hendricks (5-4, 3.41 ERA) starts Saturday for the Cubs and Brett Anderson (2-3, 4.64) for the Brewers.
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Milwaukee Brewers starting pitcher Brandon Woodruff throws during the first inning of a baseball game against the Chicago Cubs Friday, Sept. 11, 2020, in Milwaukee. (AP PhotoMorry Gash)
Chicago Cubs starting pitcher Jon Lester throws during the first inning of a baseball game against the Milwaukee Brewers Friday, Sept. 11, 2020, in Milwaukee. (AP PhotoMorry Gash)
Chicago Cubs starting pitcher Jon Lester throws during the second inning of a baseball game against the Milwaukee Brewers Friday, Sept. 11, 2020, in Milwaukee. (AP PhotoMorry Gash)
Milwaukee Brewers starting pitcher Brandon Woodruff throws during the third inning of a baseball game against the Chicago Cubs Friday, Sept. 11, 2020, in Milwaukee. (AP PhotoMorry Gash)