Brewers Rally Past Cubs Despite Misiorowski's Rough Outing
Source: ABC 7 Chicago Sports. Casualplayhub News adds summary, context, and editorial framing while linking back to the original report.
CHICAGO -- On a humid, sticky night at Wrigley Field, the Milwaukee Brewers demonstrated their resilience once again, rallying from a five-run deficit to beat the Chicago Cubs 9-5. The victory came despite a subpar performance from their ace, Jacob Misiorowski, who labored through four innings and matched a career high by allowing five runs, all earned.
Misiorowski, the 24-year-old right-hander widely considered the frontrunner for the National League Cy Young Award, struggled with command from the outset. He gave up five hits, walked four batters, and required 92 pitches to get through four frames. His ERA ticked up to 1.97, a modest bump for a pitcher who has dominated all season. The heat and humidity, which have plagued pitchers throughout the series, were a recurring theme.
"Didn't feel wonderful," Misiorowski said after the game. "Felt soggy the whole time. Weather played a factor. Lost grip. Had to make it work."
The Cubs jumped on him quickly. In the first inning, third baseman Alex Bregman launched a two-run homer to tie the game at 2-2. Then in the second, Bregman delivered again, this time with a bases-loaded two-run single that put Chicago up 4-2. Misiorowski managed to find his footing in the third and fourth, pitching scoreless innings before being lifted. But the damage was already done.
Brewers manager Pat Murphy acknowledged the challenges his young pitcher faced. "All in all, he's going to learn a lesson from this," Murphy said. "He didn't command his fastball. He had to bob and weave. He was slipping on the mound again early. He didn't have his perfect delivery. That's going to be a key going forward."
One notable subplot: NL MVP favorite Pete Crow-Armstrong walked twice against Misiorowski, in the first and second innings, but struck out in the fourth. Crow-Armstrong remains hitless in his career against the Brewers' right-hander. Misiorowski finished with just five strikeouts, his fewest in a start since mid-April.
"You start second-guessing everything," Misiorowski said. "You're trying to make pitches too big. You're trying to make things too spot-on. You start leaking places. You have to calm yourself down and figure out a way to get through it."
Fortunately for Milwaukee, the offense roared back. The Brewers took the lead for good in the fourth inning, sparked by a series of hits and walks. But the real story of the night was the bullpen. Five relievers combined to cover the final five innings, surrendering just one hit and no runs. Misiorowski praised his teammates. "Electric," he said. "I have a rough start and they figure out a way to get through it."
Behind the scenes, Misiorowski has been working on his mechanics. He threw a bullpen session on the Wrigley Field mound Monday, an unusual step for a road start, in an effort to prepare. While Wednesday's struggles could be attributed to the sauna-like conditions, the young pitcher remains focused on refining his game as the postseason approaches. With a wry smile, he added, "There's stuff I can't tell you guys and I really don't want to."
The Cubs had a frightening moment in the top of the ninth inning. Reliever Jacob Webb took a line drive off his forearm from Christian Yelich's bat. Webb immediately left the game, but X-rays came back negative, according to Cubs manager Craig Counsell. "He's in a little bit of pain and has a big bruise," Counsell said.
The four-game series concludes Thursday night, with temperatures forecast to remain above 90 degrees. The Brewers' win extended their division lead over the second-place Cubs to nine games, a commanding margin with just a few weeks left in the regular season.
Article commentary
Jacob Misiorowski's outing Wednesday night was a rare blemish on an otherwise stellar season, but it also offered a glimpse of the challenges young pitchers face when conditions are less than ideal. The humidity at Wrigley Field clearly affected his grip, leading to a loss of command and an inability to execute his fastball. This is not an isolated incident; pitchers on both sides have struggled with the elements during this series. Yet Misiorowski's ability to settle down after the second inning and pitch two scoreless frames shows his maturity and resilience. For a Cy Young favorite, such moments are valuable learning experiences. What stands out most is the Brewers' depth. Their bullpen, which has been a strength all season, stepped up magnificently. Five relievers combined to throw five shutout innings, allowing just one hit. This kind of performance is why Milwaukee has built a nine-game lead in the division. The offense, too, showed its ability to overcome an early deficit, a hallmark of championship-caliber teams. The Brewers are not solely reliant on Misiorowski; they have multiple ways to win. For the Cubs, the loss stings, especially given the opportunity to chip away at the division lead. Alex Bregman's early heroics gave them a chance, but the bullpen couldn't hold the lead. The injury scare to Jacob Webb adds another layer of concern. While X-rays were negative, losing a reliever for any extended period would be a blow. The Cubs have shown flashes of competitiveness, but consistency remains elusive. Their inability to hit Misiorowski when he was vulnerable is telling. Pete Crow-Armstrong, despite being an MVP candidate, still hasn't managed a hit off the young right-hander, a statistical oddity that could become a talking point. Looking ahead, Misiorowski's mechanical adjustments and his work behind the scenes will be crucial. The bullpen session on Monday was a proactive move, and he will likely continue to refine his delivery. The Brewers are in a strong position for the postseason, but they need their ace to be at his best. Wednesday's outing was a reminder that even the best have off nights. The key is how they respond. For Milwaukee, the response was a team victory, and that bodes well for October. From a broader perspective, the game highlighted the unpredictability of baseball. A Cy Young favorite can struggle, a team can fall behind early, and yet the game can still be won. The Brewers' ability to weather the storm underscores their depth and resilience. The Cubs, meanwhile, must find a way to string together consistent performances if they hope to make a late-season push. The division is likely out of reach, but wild-card contention remains possible. This series, with its oppressive heat and dramatic swings, is a microcosm of the season's narrative.