The Cubs had to face Brandon Woodruff Sunday afternoon, and so this was going to be a tough game to win, even with Jake Arrieta, the team’s most consistent starter so far in 2021, on the mound.
And then Jake had himself a shaky first inning. First four batters: Double, single, two walks, and thus a quick 1-0 Brewers lead.
Jake settled down and retired the next 15 Brewers in order, and even after a walk and an error put two Milwaukee runners on base in the sixth, he rose to the occasion by striking out the side, wrapping up the inning with fans cheering as he struck out Billy McKinney to preserve the one-run deficit.