Thursday’s series finale had all the makings of a classic pitching duel. Zack Greinke and Matt Garza are both power arms capable of throwing a gem anytime they take the mound. Thursday was not one of those days as the Cubs (28-40) won a 12-7 slug fest to take the series from their rivals from Milwaukee (39-31).
Matt Garza pitched well enough to improve his record to 3-6 on the season. Garza got off to a shaky start allowing five runs in the first three innings, but settled down and lasted six innings giving up five earned runs on just six hits.
The Cubs bats really came through Thursday for Garza. Kosuke Fukudome and Starlin Castro each had three hits and Carlos Pena and Alfonso Soriano each homered as the Cubs improved to 4-3 against the Brewers this season.
Zack Greinke (6-2) continued to receive the run support that has bailed him out all season, but seven runs wasn’t enough. Greinke went five and a third allowing eight runs (six earned) on eight hits. The righty did strike out 10 Cubs batters but that didn’t help Greinke whose ERA increased to 5.23 after Thursday’s loss.
The Cubs will continue their homestand Friday with a visit from the New York Yankees.