Taillon and Busch star as the Cubs beat the Brewers 4-1 for a doubleheader sweep

CHICAGO (AP) — Jameson Taillon pitched six effective innings in his return from a calf injury, and the Chicago Cubs beat the Milwaukee Brewers 4-1 on Tuesday night for a sweep of their split doubleheader.

Michael Busch drove in two runs as Chicago improved to 4-2 on an eight-game homestand. Ian Happ had two hits, and Owen Caissie contributed a bloop RBI single.

Coupled with their 6-4 win in the first game of the day, the Cubs (72-54) moved within seven games of the NL Central-leading Brewers (79-47).

Andrew Vaughn's first-inning RBI single accounted for Milwaukee's only run in the second game. Sal Frelick nearly had a sacrifice fly in the seventh, but right fielder Willi Castro made a perfect throw to the plate to complete an inning-ending double play.

Milwaukee right-hander Brandon Woodruff (4-1) permitted three runs and five hits in 4 1/3 innings in his eighth start of the season.

Busch drove in Caissie with a second-inning double, lifting Chicago to a 2-1 lead. Nico Hoerner added an RBI single in the fifth.

Matt Shaw raced his way to a valuable insurance run in the sixth. He hit a one-out triple and scored with a headfirst slide when Gold Glove second baseman Brice Turang threw home on Busch's grounder.

Taillon (8-6) allowed five hits in his first big league start since June 29. He had been sidelined by a right calf strain.

Andrew Kittredge pitched a 1-2-3 ninth for his second save.

Milwaukee finished the game without shortstop Joey Ortiz, who departed in the seventh with a bruised knee. Manager Pat Murphy said Ortiz also had some stomach issues and likely won't play on Wednesday.

Castro's throw home in the seventh sent a charge through the crowd of 34,540 at Wrigley Field.

The Brewers dropped to 55-15 when they score first.

Jacob Misiorowski (4-1, 3.89 ERA) pitches for Milwaukee on Wednesday night, and fellow right-hander Colin Rea (9-5, 3.99 ERA) starts for Chicago. Misiorowski is 1-1 with a 6.27 ERA in his last five outings.

AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb

Milwaukee Brewers pitcher Aaron Ashby (26) throws against the Chicago Cubs during the fifth inning of the second baseball game of a split doubleheader Tuesday, Aug. 19, 2025, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Erin Hooley)

Chicago Cubs' Matt Shaw (6) runs the bases after hitting a triple during the sixth inning of the second baseball game of a split doubleheader against the Milwaukee Brewers, Tuesday, Aug. 19, 2025, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Erin Hooley)

Chicago Cubs' Matt Shaw (6) scores on a single from Michael Busch (29) during the sixth inning of the second baseball game of a split doubleheader against the Milwaukee Brewers, Tuesday, Aug. 19, 2025, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Erin Hooley)

Chicago Cubs second baseman Nico Hoerner (2) and shortstop Dansby Swanson (7) celebrate their team's win over the Milwaukee Brewers in the second baseball game of a split doubleheader Tuesday, Aug. 19, 2025, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Erin Hooley)

GENEVA--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan 15, 2026--

Cargill today announced the maiden voyage of Brave Pioneer, the first of five green methanol dual-fuel dry bulk vessels chartered by the company. The deployment of the Brave Pioneer marks another important milestone in Cargill’s broader decarbonization efforts – one focused on innovation, testing and learning as the company works with customers and partners to refine future-ready solutions for Cargill and the industry.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260114083757/en/

Built by Tsuneishi Shipbuilding Co., Ltd. and owned by Mitsui & Co. Ltd., Brave Pioneer is equipped to operate on both conventional marine fuels and green methanol, a lower-carbon alternative. The estimated CO2 saving of using green methanol compared to conventional fuel is up to 70%.

The ship departs the Philippines today, will bunker green methanol in Singapore, then proceed to Western Australia before sailing onward to Europe. Through Brave Pioneer ’s maiden voyage, Cargill will conduct a series of operational trials designed evaluate methanol bunkering readiness, understand how environmental attributes can be traced and verified through carbon accounting systems, and assess market appetite for low-carbon freight services.

“Decarbonising global shipping requires a mix of technologies and the willingness to take bold steps before the entire ecosystem is ready,” said Jan Dieleman, President of Cargill’s Ocean Transportation business. “Technologies like green methanol or wind-assisted propulsion come with uncertainty. But as an industry leader, we have a responsibility to test these innovations on the water, share what we learn, and help shape the systems and standards that will enable wider adoption.”

Setting the Stage for a New Low-Carbon Fleet

The launch of Brave Pioneer paves the way for the four additional vessels that will join Cargill’s fleet over the coming years. The addition of these vessels strengthens Cargill’s multi-solution decarbonization approach, which includes wind-assisted propulsion, voyage optimization technologies, energy-efficiency retrofits and exploration of alternative fuels such as biofuels and ethanol.

Each represents another step in the company’s broader efforts to embed sustainability into global ocean supply chains and support customers looking for practical, lower-carbon freight options.

“We know the road to low carbon shipping will require a mix of solutions and green methanol is one part of that portfolio,” Dieleman continued. “Our new fleet is about optionality and adaptability. These vessels are engineered to perform at a best-in-class level on conventional fuel today, while allowing us to switch to greener fuels as availability improves. It’s a practical way to future-proof ocean transport.”

As one of the world’s largest charterers of dry bulk freight, Cargill’s actions send a strong demand signal to the market and serve as an open invitation for others in the maritime sector to join in advancing the transition to sustainable shipping.

The initiative supports Cargill’s broader effort to reduce supply chain emissions and invest and test practical innovations that advance progress toward a more sustainable global food system. Green methanol-enabled vessels—paired with the eventual expansion of renewable fuel supply—are expected to play a meaningful role in reducing maritime emissions over the coming decade.

About Cargill

Cargill is committed to providing food, ingredients, agricultural solutions, and industrial products to nourish the world in a safe, responsible, and sustainable way. Sitting at the heart of the supply chain, we partner with farmers and customers to source, make and deliver products that are vital for living.

Our 160,000 team members innovate with purpose, providing customers with life’s essentials so businesses can grow, communities prosper, and consumers live well. With 159 years of experience as a family company, we look ahead while remaining true to our values. We put people first. We reach higher. We do the right thing—today and for generations to come. For more information, visit Cargill.com and our News Center.

Through Brave Pioneer’s maiden voyage, Cargill will conduct a series of operational trials designed evaluate methanol bunkering readiness, understand how environmental attributes can be traced and verified through carbon accounting systems, and assess market appetite for low-carbon freight services.

The ship departs the Philippines today, will bunker green methanol in Singapore, then proceed to Western Australia before sailing onward to Europe.

Built by Tsuneishi Shipbuilding Co., Ltd. and owned by Mitsui & Co. Ltd., Brave Pioneer is equipped to operate on both conventional marine fuels and green methanol, a lower-carbon alternative.