Carlos Santana hit a walk-off double in the bottom of the 10th inning as the host Milwaukee Brewers edged the Chicago Cubs 4-3 on Friday night in the opener of a three-game series.
Santana’s line drive to left plated Blake Perkins, who pinch-ran for automatic runner William Contreras.
After blowing a save in the ninth, Caleb Boushley (1-0) made his major league debut and came away with the victory thanks to Santana’s late-game heroics. Boushley allowed one run on one hit in 2 1/3 innings, walking two and striking out five.
Santana also had a two-run triple, and Victor Caratini finished with a pair of singles for Milwaukee (91-69), which has won seven of its last 10 games.
Chicago (82-78) trailed 3-0 entering its half of the eighth, but Jeimer Candelario hit a leadoff homer and, after Christopher Morel tripled, Yan Gomes brought home another run with a groundout to make it 3-2.
Ian Happ then drew the Cubs even at 3-3 with a solo shot of his own to open the ninth, but the visitors left the bases loaded in the top of the 10th.
Jose Cuas (3-2) took the loss.
Morel went 2-for-3 with a run and a walk for Chicago (82-78), which continues to see its National League wild-card hopes fade.
The Cubs have lost 11 of their past 15 games, falling 1 1/2 games behind the Marlins for the third and final NL wild card. Miami beat the Pittsburgh Pirates 4-3 earlier Friday.
After stranding a pair of runners in the fourth, the Brewers finally broke through in the fifth.
Singles from Caratini and Brice Turang and a walk to Christian Yelich loaded the bases with no outs. Contreras then sent a grounder up the middle that was bobbled by second baseman Nico Hoerner, allowing Milwaukee to avoid a double play while simultaneously bringing home a run.
Santana then pulled a ball down the first base line to plate Turang and Contreras for a 3-0 lead.
Milwaukee starter Colin Rea allowed just two hits across five scoreless innings and struck out six, while Cubs starter Kyle Hendricks gave up three runs on five hits in 4 1/3 innings.
–Field Level Media