Jul 22, 2016; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Chicago Cubs first baseman Anthony Rizzo (44) drives in a run during the second inning against the Milwaukee Brewers at Miller Park. Photo Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports
MILWAUKEE — Tommy La Stella and Anthony Rizzo hit RBI doubles in the seventh as the Chicago Cubs rallied for a 6-5 victory over the Milwaukee Brewers Sunday afternoon at Miller Park.
La Stella had three hits and reached base in all four of his trips. Ben Zobrist finished with two hits and a walk and drove in a pair of runs.
Cubs starter Jon Lester struggled on a sweltering and humid day, allowing four runs on four hits and five walks while striking out seven in four-plus innings of work.
Milwaukee stole four bases against Lester, with three coming in the first inning as Jonathan Villar drew a leadoff walk, swiped second and third then scored on a sacrifice fly by Hernan Perez.
Ryan Braun singled, stole second and took third on an single by Jonathan Lucroy and then scored on Chris Carter’s RBI single as Milwaukee took a 2-0 lead.
The Brewers added two more in the fourth to take a 4-0 lead but couldn’t capitalize on big opportunities. Milwaukee left the bases loaded in two innings and stranded 12 on the day.
After being held scoreless through five innings by Junior Guerra, Zobrist put the Cubs on the board with a run-scoring single in the sixth.
Guerra got out of the inning without further damage but gave way after retiring Javier Baez to open the seventh and the Cubs’ offense finally broke through against left-hander Will Smith (1-3), who allowed two straight singles before La Stella’s double made it a 4-2 game.
Smith fell behind 3-0 to Kris Bryant, resulting in an intentional walk that loaded the bases for Rizzo, who slapped a double to the gap in right-center to clear the bases and put the Cubs up 5-4.
Zobrist made it a 6-4 game with a RBI single but ended the inning trying to steal second.
The late rally spoiled a quality start from Guerra, who gave up five hits and walked four but allowed just one unearned run over 6 1/3 innings of work.
Joe Nathan (1-0) returned to the majors for the first time since April 6, 2015 and earned the victory with a scoreless sixth.
Kirk Niewunhuis hit a solo home run in the ninth off Hector Rondon, who earned his 18th save of the season.
NOTES: Chicago activated RHP Joe Nathan from the disabled list. The 41-year-old hasn’t pitched since April 6 of last season and underwent Tommy John Surgery later that month. He was signed by the Cubs in May. To make room for Nathan on the active roster, RHP Adam Warren was optioned to Triple-A Iowa. … Cubs manager Joe Maddon gave OF Dexter Fowler a day off Sunday. Fowler is 3-for-8 with a double and a home run since returning from the disabled list Friday. Maddon said Fowler’s right hamstring was sore but expected him to be back in the lineup Monday against the White Sox. … Milwaukee OF Jake Elmore made his third start of the season, handling center field in place of Kirk Nieuwenhuis. It was Elmore’s second career start in center. … Brewers INF/OF Hernan Perez brought a seven-game hitting streak into the game Sunday. He is batting .440 (11-for-25) during that streak.
