Brewers blow up for 6-run first inning, take NLDS game 1 from Cubs 9-3

Jackson Chourio sparked Milwaukee’s fast start at the plate, and Freddy Peralta delivered a steady performance on the mound.

The Brewers looked more than ready for October.

Chourio capped Milwaukee’s six-run first inning with a two-run single, and the Brewers trounced the Chicago Cubs 9-3 on Saturday in Game 1 of their NL Division Series. Cubs All-Star left-hander Matthew Boyd was lifted with two out in the first.

Boyd had only three days of rest after throwing 58 pitches in the Cubs’ 3-1 Wild Card Series Game 1 victory over the San Diego Padres on Tuesday.

Hoping for a breakthrough after years of playoff frustration, Milwaukee showed off the same approach that helped the team roll to baseball’s best record during the regular season. The Brewers ranked third in the majors in scoring this year despite finishing just 22nd in homers.

It was more of the same in the team’s postseason opener. The NL Central champions had 13 hits and no home runs, while three solo drives by Michael Busch, Ian Happ and Nico Hoerner accounted for Chicago’s offense.

Game 2 of the best-of-five series is on Monday night.


(AP Photo Morry Gash)