Shota Imanaga delivers another strong start but still takes the loss; Cubs fall to Brewers

In the early hours today, the Milwaukee Brewers defeated the Chicago Cubs 4-1 on the road, concluding the five-game series with a 3-2 advantage and becoming the first team in the major leagues this season to reach 80 wins. Cubs’ Japanese left-hander Shota Imanaga pitched seven innings, allowing only three hits and two runs. Despite this being his sixth quality start of the season, he still suffered his sixth loss.

In the top of the second inning, after issuing a walk to the leadoff batter Christian Yelich, Shota Imanaga recorded consecutive outs. However, a four-seam fastball that was not severely misplaced was crushed by Brice Turang for a two-run homer just over the right-center field wall. Despite the Cubs’ offense managing only five hits and drawing eight walks while leaving 11 runners on base, Imanaga was unable to avoid the loss after completing seven innings.

Seiya Suzuki went 0-for-4, dropping his batting line to .245/.319/.485. Kyle Tucker returned to the starting lineup after missing three games, batting second and playing right field, but also went 0-for-4.

The Cubs’ sole run came in the bottom of the fifth inning, driven in by a sacrifice fly from Pete Crow-Armstrong with one out and the bases loaded, following one hit and two walks. However, in the top of the eighth with one out, substitute Andruw Monasterio singled, followed by a double from Sal Frelick and timely hits from Issac Collins to score two insurance runs, securing the final victory.

Though the Brewers did not break their recent pattern of losing the series, they improved their league-best record to 80-48 and extended their lead in the National League Central to seven games over the Cubs, who sit second in the division and lead the wild card race. After ending an eight-game road winning streak, the Brewers return home to face the San Francisco Giants in a three-game series starting tomorrow, followed by a four-game set against the Arizona Diamondbacks. The Cubs will begin a nine-game road trip against the Los Angeles Angels, San Francisco Giants, and Colorado Rockies.