CHICAGO (AP) — William Contreras hit a tiebreaking two-run single in Milwaukee's three-run eighth inning, and the Brewers beat the Chicago Cubs, 3-1, on Saturday for the team's first win of the season.
Brandon Woodruff pitched six sharp innings for Milwaukee, and Devin Williams worked a rocky ninth for the save. The Brewers lost 4-0 to the Cubs on Thursday on Opening Day.
Dansby Swanson collected three more hits for Chicago, and Ian Happ homered. Justin Steele struck out eight in six innings.
The Cubs led 1-0 before the Brewers rallied in the eighth in cold, windy conditions at Wrigley Field.
Brian Anderson led off with a single against Javier Assad (0-1). Pinch-hitter Garrett Mitchell then tried to sacrifice Anderson over before reaching on a walk. Jesse Winker, who was acquired in a December trade with Seattle, followed with a pinch-hit RBI single to center.
With the bases loaded and two outs, Contreras blooped a two-run single into right against Michael Fulmer.
Peter Strzelecki (1-0) pitched a perfect inning for the win.
Chicago tried to rally against Williams in the ninth. Swanson led off with a line drive off the reliever’s right shoulder. The All-Star shortstop, who signed a seven-year, $177-million deal with the Cubs in free agency, also had three hits on Opening Day.
Happ followed with another single, but Williams got Cody Bellinger to bounce into a double play before Miles Mastrobuoni struck out swinging.
Milwaukee rookie Joey Wiemer doubled down the right-field line in the second in his first major league at-bat.
SHOWING OFF
Swanson made a spectacular diving stop on Contreras’ grounder in the fourth and then threw him out at first.
BRRRR
The first-pitch temperature was 39 degrees, and there was a gusty wind from the northwest at 23 mph. A message on the videoboard recommended fans take a break during the game and utilize designated warming areas.
TRAINER’S ROOM
Brewers: INF Luis Urías was placed on the 10-day injured list because of a strained left hamstring, and Wiemer was promoted to the big league roster. Urías is expected to be sidelined for six to eight weeks.
Cubs: RHP Kyle Hendricks (right shoulder strain) threw a bullpen session on Friday ... OF Seiya Suzuki (left oblique strain) will take at-bats in extended spring training in the upcoming week.
UP NEXT
The three-game season-opening series concludes Sunday when Chicago right-hander Jameson Taillon faces Milwaukee left-hander Eric Lauer.
Copyright 2023 The Associated Press.
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