Jackson Chourio’s clutch hitting and Luis Lara’s defensive heroics fueled a Milwaukee Brewers late-inning rally over the Chicago Cubs.
The Milwaukee Brewers knew they needed to win just one of three games to take the season series against the Chicago Cubs, and they did just that on Labor Day.
Despite an absolutely sensational start from Matthew Boyd, the 35-year-old ended up taking the loss due to the three earned runs he allowed in the eighth inning.
Boyd, who looked sensational through seven, was left in the game as manager Craig Counsell knew he couldn't trust this Cubs bullpen.
Come the eighth, Boyd was gassed, and he quickly allowed a walk and a double, which caused Counsell to remove him.
That decision came back to haunt Counsell as Jackson Chourio erased the Brewers' 2-1 deficit with a two-RBI single, and then Christian Yelich's sacrifice fly later in the inning would put the Brewers ahead, 4-2.
Star closer Trevor Megill ended up giving up a home run in the ninth to MVP frontrunner Pete Crow-Armstrong, so that insurance run from Yelich was crucial as the Brewers prevailed, 4-3.
One of the Brewers' best wins of the season
Luis Lara will have everyone talking after this one as he once again saved a home run. This kid is incredible, and that's not even giving the 21-year-old enough credit.
The Brewers knew exactly what they were doing when they signed him to a long-term extension before he ever set foot in the majors.
Time and time again, Lara steps up when the lights shine the brightest, and he also contributed offensively in this one with a hit and a run.
Chourio, who had the huge two-RBI single the inning prior, ended the game on a diving catch, which resulted in Megill picking up his 27th save of the season.
Abner Uribe improved to 5-2 as he made things look easy in the eighth inning.
Robert Gasser was only responsible for a solo homer, but other than that he looked great in his 4.2 innings of work. Chad Patrick helped him get out of a fifth-inning jam, and then retired the side in order after he gave up a leadoff walk in the sixth.
Aaron Ashby may have had another rough outing, but he's been used so much lately that it should come as no surprise.
The biggest surprise of all was the fact that Megill gave up his first home run of the season, but that goes to show just how good Crow-Armstrong truly is.
Now, no matter what happens in these next two games, the Brewers can rest easy knowing they officially have the tiebreaker over the Cubs.
