— Kris Bryant and Willson Contreras each homered twice, and the Chicago Cubs beat the Braves 13-4 Saturday on an afternoon when Atlanta returned Sean Kazmar Jr. to the major leagues for the first time in 13 years.
No matter the situation, the 2021 Chicago Cubs are having trouble hitting the ball -- and solutions might not be forthcoming.
— Kyle Wright plunked four Cubs batters but still left with the lead after a last-minute call-up, Will Smith stranded the bases loaded in the bottom of the ninth inning and the Atlanta Braves escaped with a bizarre 5-2 win Friday over Chicago.
David Ross, pitcher Ryan Tepera and game-planning coach Mike Borzello were suspended after Tepera threw a pitch at the feet of Milwaukee Brewers starter Brandon Woodruff on Tuesday.
The Cubs have activated infielder Matt Duffy and relievers Brandon Workman and Dan Winkler from the COVID-19-related injured list.
Cubs reliever Ryan Tepera was suspended three games by Major League Baseball for throwing a pitch behind Brewers pitcher Brandon Woodruff this week.
In 2019, Corbin Burnes was one of the worst pitchers in baseball. Now, he is one of the best, thanks largely to a minor adjustment.
The Dodgers remain a clear No. 1 at the top -- but there is plenty of movement after that.
Carlos Rodon's bid for perfection ended with 1 out in the 9th Wed. when he hit a batter, but he still achieved a no-hitter. Another such effort in Chicago, 9/2/72, came within a strike of a perfect game when the Cubs' Milt Pappas walked the Padres' 27th hitter, Larry Stahl, after being ahead in the count 1-2. He retired the next two batters, then forever blamed the ump for the walk. For our 2007 story on this, see: http://www.espn.com/espn/print?id=3019597.
— Corbin Burnes struck out 10 in six dominant innings and also delivered a two-run single for his first career RBI as the Milwaukee Brewers defeated the Chicago Cubs 7-0 on Wednesday.
Cubs catcher Willson Contreras let his bat do the talking on Tuesday night after getting hit by a Brewers pitcher for the seventh time over the past two seasons.
— Willson Contreras struck back after getting plunked again by the Brewers, hitting a two-run homer in the eighth inning and enjoying his trip around the bases as the Chicago Cubs rallied past Milwaukee 3-2 on Tuesday night.
Cubs infielder Matt Duffy has been placed on the COVID-19-related injured list, joining relievers Brandon Workman, Jason Adam and Dan Winkler. None of the players tested positive, but the team is being cautious given their close contacts or symptoms.
— Pinch-hitter Luis UrÃas drove in three runs with a go-ahead double and the Milwaukee Brewers scored six times in the sixth inning to beat the Chicago Cubs 6-3 on Monday night.
Cubs relievers Jason Adam, Brandon Workman and Dan Winkler won't be in Milwaukee for Monday's game after bullpen coach Chris Young tested positive for COVID-19.
— JT Brubaker pitched into the sixth inning and had the first three RBI of his career to lead the Pittsburgh Pirates over the Chicago Cubs 7-1 on Sunday.
— Mitch Keller pitched five efficient innings and the Pittsburgh Pirates used an early burst to chase Zach Davies in an 8-2 win over the Chicago Cubs on Saturday night.
— Lorenzo Cain hit his second homer of the game, a three-run shot in the 10th inning and the Milwaukee Brewers beat the Chicago Cubs 4-2 on Wednesday.
— Freddy Peralta pitched five sharp innings, Travis Shaw hit a three-run homer and the Milwaukee Brewers beat the Chicago Cubs 4-0 on Tuesday night to stop a three-game slide.
— Zach Davies worked quickly. He moved the ball around the plate. He made a couple of big pitches at key moments.
| TEAM | W | L | PCT | GB | STRK |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cincinnati | 9 | 5 | .643 | - | W2 |
| Milwaukee | 8 | 6 | .571 | 1 | W1 |
| St. Louis | 7 | 7 | .500 | 2 | W1 |
| Chicago | 6 | 8 | .429 | 3 | W1 |
| Pittsburgh | 6 | 9 | .400 | 3.5 | L1 |
