Yelich scores on Braun's fly in 9th, Brewers beat Cubs 1-0

MILWAUKEE (AP) — Christian Yelich scored on Ryan Braun's ninth-inning sacrifice fly, Brandon Woodruff pitched seven innings of one-hit ball and the Milwaukee Brewers beat the Chicago Cubs 1-0 on Friday night as they tried to climb back into playoff contention.

Woodruff, Devin Williams and Josh Hader (1-1) combined on a two-hitter with 16 strikeouts. Coming off a 19-0 rout of Detroit, Milwaukee pitchers extended their scoreless streak to 19 innings . The Brewers have pitched consecutive shutouts for the first time since Aug. 31 and Sept. 1 last year Wrigley Field.

Yelich walked leading off the ninth, and took third on Jedd Gyorko’s single to right off Rowan Wick (0-1), just the fourth hit for the Brewers.

Braun greeted Jeremy Jeffress with a fly to right fielder Jason Heyward a few steps in front of the warning track. Yelich scored without a throw.

Milwaukee is third in the NL Central at 20-22, four games back of the division-leading Cubs and also trailing St. Louis. The Brewers have not been above .500 all season.

Former All-Stars Jon Lester and Woodruff matched up in a pitcher's duel following frustrating stretches.

Lester entered with a 5.80 ERA and had allowed at least five earned runs in four of his previous five starts. He struck out eight and yielded only three hits over six innings against a lineup that had a franchise-record 13 extra-base hits in Wednesday's blowout of the Tigers.

Woodruff had lasted just 4 1/3 innings in his prior start, a 4-3 loss at Cleveland, and said “not getting through five innings is kind of a disgrace.”

This time, Woodruff allowed his only hit when Ian Happ singled to left center leading off the sixth.

Kris Bryant hit a two-out triple in the eighth off the wall in right center, but Williams struck out Anthony Rizzo. Opposing...

source https://www.chron.com/sports/article/Yelich-scores-on-Braun-s-fly-in-9th-Brewers-beat-15561556.php