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Javier Assad pitches 6 innings as Cubs blank Brewers 5-0 – Winnipeg Free Press

Posted on by Neons

CHICAGO (AP) – Javier Assad pitched six brilliant innings and the Chicago Cubs beat Freddie Peralta and the Milwaukee Brewers 5-0 in the weekend rubber on Sunday.

Asad (3-0) allowed four hits, struck out four and walked three, lowering his ERA to 1.66. The right-hander has allowed two runs or fewer in each of his seven starts this season.

“He's got weapons that are never comfortable for a hitter,” Cubs manager Craig Counsell said.

Milwaukee Brewers starting pitcher Freddy Peralta throws against the Chicago Cubs during the first inning of a baseball game in Chicago, Sunday, May 5, 2024. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)
Milwaukee Brewers starting pitcher Freddy Peralta throws against the Chicago Cubs during the first inning of a baseball game in Chicago, Sunday, May 5, 2024. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)

Chicago has hit two straight against Milwaukee after losing 3-1 on Friday. Starting pitchers for the Cubs have combined for 18 1/3 scoreless innings in the series, allowing a total of nine hits.

“We have a great group of pitchers in the rotation. Even in the bull,” Asad said through a translator. “So it's great to go out there and see them feeding each other.”

Peralta (3-1) had a career-high six walks in five innings. He allowed three hits and struck out five on a sunny, chilly day at Wrigley Field.

It was the right-hander's first start since serving a five-game suspension for his role in Tuesday's brawl with the Rays. He is appealing the punishment to Major League Baseball.

The Cubs (21-14) seized control with three runs in Peralta's final inning. Nico Hoerner hit a two-run double, led off the first and scored on a two-out wild pitch.

Dansby Swanson homered off Thiago Vieira in the sixth and Christopher Morel singled off Mike Tauchman in the seventh. Morel went 1-for-1 with three walks.

Milwaukee (20-13) put runners on first and second in the fourth and fifth, and Asad escaped each time. Oliver Dunn took the lead from fourth to the final, while Tyler Black appeared in fifth.

The Gold Gloves also got help from Asad Swanson when he made a sliding play on Willie Adames' grounder and left with a runner at third to get the final out.

“Be aggressive today, get the mentality,” said Swanson, who went 3-for-25 at the plate. “Obviously it's going to be offensively and defensively.”

The Brewers went 0-for-7 with runners in scoring position and stranded eight runners.

“We got three guys who played really well,” Milwaukee manager Pat Murphy said of the series. “And offensively, we didn't hit with runners in scoring position. But like I said, it's a great experience for our guys.”

Yancey Almonte pitched two innings after Asad left and Daniel Palencia finished with five strikeouts.

TRAINER'S ROOM

Brewers: Murphy gave OF Joey Wiemer (left knee discomfort) two to three weeks of downtime. Wimer was placed on the 10-day injured list on Saturday. “I'm just thankful he didn't need surgery,” Murphy said. … OF Christian Yelich (back) runs and swings the bat. “It seems like it's been building up the last couple of days,” Murphy said. Yelich was placed on 10-day IL on April 16.

Cubs: OF Seiya Suzuki (right oblique strain) ran the bases and took batting practice before the game. OF Cody Bellinger (fractured right rib) also ran the bases and was slated for some swings. … RHP Kyle Hendricks (low back) was expected to throw the bullpen.