Pete Crow-Armstrong hit a two-run single to highlight a four-run first inning, helping the Chicago Cubs avoid elimination with a 4-3 victory over the Milwaukee Brewers on Wednesday in Game 3 of their National League Division Series.
The Cubs trail 2-1 in the best-of-five series. The fourth game will take place Thursday in Chicago.
Michael Busch scored to open the first inning for the second time in this series, becoming the first player in major league history to accomplish the feat, according to Sarah Langs. He also played in the Cubs’ 9-3 Game 1 loss to the Brewers on Saturday.
Ian Happ scored on a wild pitch and Nico Hoerner and Kyle Tucker each had two of Chicago’s eight hits.
Drew Pomeranz (1-0) struck out two batters while retiring the side in order in the fifth inning.
Jake Bauers had a fourth-inning RBI single and opposite-field homer to start the seventh and cut Chicago’s lead to 4-3.
Brad Keller struck out Bauers with the bases loaded to end the eighth inning. He then struck out the side in the ninth inning to secure his second save of the playoffs.
Sal Frelick’s sacrifice fly plated Christian Yelich in the top of the first before the Cubs responded brilliantly in their half of the inning.
Busch deposited a 3-2 fastball from Quinn Priester (0-1) over the wall in right-center field to forge a 1-1 tie. The homer was Busch’s team-leading third of the postseason.
The Cubs quickly loaded the bases before Crow-Armstrong’s single to right field plated Nick Hoerner and Kyle Tucker and chased Priester from the game.
Nick Mears relieved Priester and quickly uncorked a wild pitch, allowing Happ to score and extend Chicago’s lead to 4-1.
Bauers reduced his team’s deficit with an RBI single in the fourth, but Caleb Durbin braked on Brandon Lockridge’s bunt and was caught in a run-up at the plate. Joey Ortiz grounded out to end the inning.
Priester allowed four runs on three hits with two walks in two-thirds of an inning.
–Field level media
