September 24, 2017

ESPNChicago.com, The rise of Justin Wilson could be game-changer for Cubs http://www.espn.com/blog/chicago/cubs/post/_/id/45854/the-rise-of-justin-wilson-could-be-game-changer-for-cubs

CSNChicago.com, The Streak ends as Cubs watch Wade Davis finally blow a save: ‘It’s definitely on me’ http://www.csnchicago.com/chicago-cubs/streak-ends-cubs-watch-wade-davis-finally-blow-save-its-definitely-me

CSNChicago.com, Justin Wilson isn’t running away from big moments with Cubs: ‘I want the ball’ http://www.csnchicago.com/chicago-cubs/justin-wilson-isnt-running-away-big-moments-cubs-i-want-ball

CSNChicago.com, After playoff run, Shohei Otani could be the next big thing on Cubs’ radar http://www.csnchicago.com/chicago-cubs/after-playoff-run-shohei-otani-could-be-next-big-thing-cubs-radar

Chicago Tribune, Kyle Hendricks' consistency could loom large as Cubs move toward playoff berth http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/baseball/cubs/ct-kyle-hendricks-cubs-rotation-spt-0924-20170923-story.html#nt=oft03a-1la1

Chicago Tribune, Wade Davis blows first save of season in Cubs' 10-inning loss to Brewers http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/baseball/cubs/ct-spt-0925-cubs-brewers-20170924-story.html

Chicago Tribune, Cubs squander late leads against Brewers as made-for-October showdown continues http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/columnists/ct-cubs-brewers-spectacular-series-sullivan-spt-0924-20170923-column.html#nt=oft03a-1gp2

Chicago Tribune, Cubs manager Joe Maddon eschews free-agent lobbying http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/baseball/cubs/ct-cubs-joe-maddon-free-agency-20170923-story.html

Chicago Tribune, Cubs manager Joe Maddon: 'Intriguing' two-way players likely better suited for AL http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/baseball/cubs/ct-cubs-joe-maddon-20170923-story.html

Chicago Sun-Times, Why Kyle Hendricks could be poised for bigger role in playoff rotation http://chicago.suntimes.com/sports/why-kyle-hendricks-could-be-poised-for-bigger-role-in-playoff-rotation/

Chicago Sun-Times, Cubs voice Pat Hughes on an ‘exhilarated’ ride he hopes won’t end soon http://chicago.suntimes.com/sports/cubs-voice-pat-hughes-on-an-exhilarated-ride-he-hopes-wont-end-soon/

Chicago Sun-Times, Saves streak ends for Wade Davis in loss but could Cubs career extend? http://chicago.suntimes.com/sports/all-star-closer-wade-davis-hopes-to-talk-to-cubs-about-a-return-in-18/

Daily Herald, Wade blows first save of season in Cubs' 4-3 loss to Brewers http://www.dailyherald.com/sports/20170923/wade-blows-first-save-of-season-in-cubs-4-3-loss-to-brewers

Daily Herald, Jay has spark for Cubs http://www.dailyherald.com/sports/20170923/jay-has-spark-for-cubs

Cubs.com, Cubs turn to Q, Crew calls on Anderson in finale http://m.cubs.mlb.com/news/article/255586342/cubs-turn-to-q-crew-calls-on-anderson-in-finale/

Cubs.com, Davis falters, Cubs miss chance to trim number http://m.cubs.mlb.com/news/article/255587646/brewers-walk-off-against-cubs-in-10th-inning/

Cubs.com, Maddon: Davis not to be blamed for defeat http://m.cubs.mlb.com/news/article/255724256/joe-maddon-on-wade-davis-loss-to-brewers/

Cubs.com, Jay impresses when down in the count http://m.cubs.mlb.com/news/article/255724254/joe-maddon-on-jon-jays-two-strike-approach/

-- ESPNChicago.com The rise of Justin Wilson could be game-changer for Cubs By Jesse Rogers MILWAUKEE -- The Chicago Cubs and Milwaukee Brewers continued a playoff-like series Saturday, becoming the first two teams to battle into extra innings in three straight affairs since 2015. But through the drama -- which ended with Cubs closer Wade Davis blowing his first save of the season in the ninth inning, then losing the game in the 10th -- came an extremely positive development for the defending champions. Lefty reliever Justin Wilson faced four batters and sent them all back to the dugout without reaching base, three via strikeouts. It doesn’t sound like headline material, but considering the Cubs are a virtual lock to win their division, holding a 4 1/2-game lead with eight games remaining, Wilson’s performance probably means more than the 4-3 loss. "How good was that?" Cubs manager Joe Maddon said after the game. "That’s really something, looking forward. He made a nice adjustment out there. It looked really good from the side. If we get that out of him, that could be a huge difference-maker for us." Wilson has been anything but a difference-maker since coming to the Cubs in a trade deadline deal with the Detroit Tigers, but the Cubs haven’t run away from him. They’ve vowed to get him right in advance of what the team hopes is a long playoff run. A lefty throwing in the mid-to-upper 90s can come in handy when Daniel Murphy or Bryce Harper of the Washington Nationals are at the plate -- but only if he’s throwing strikes. Coming into this series, Wilson had given up 16 free passes in 14 innings, which is not going to cut it. But in two appearances this weekend, he hasn’t walked anyone. There were a few hits given up on Thursday, but it was still a confidence-building performance. "Clearly, it hasn’t been the same for me since before the trade," Wilson admitted on Saturday. "I’ve been working on getting back to right. Clearly it hasn’t been that way. It’s a game of adjustments." While with the Tigers, Wilson walked 16 in 40 innings, while giving up just 22 hits. It’s the same amount of free passes he’s issued as a Cub. On Saturday, not only did Wilson mow down four batters, he did it in a high-leverage situation, something Maddon has been reluctant to put Wilson in lately. But due to three straight extra-inning affairs, Maddon had no choice. And Wilson threw all fastballs. "When he does [throw fastballs], it’s kind of tough to hit him," Maddon said. That’s because the radar gun lights up when Wilson is on his game. His performance overshadowed a great display of small ball by his team and Davis’ first hiccup with a lead as a Cub. If Maddon doesn’t back off the closer a little after a busy stretch, this might become the next headline, as the Cubs just might have a new reliever to rely on.

"It’s an open book of communication here," Wilson said. "We talk. I talked to them and said, ‘Hey, I’m going to get right. I just want the ball and keep getting back out there.'" His ascension can have a massive impact on the Cubs' bullpen come October. It allows Maddon to use the left-handed Mike Montgomery in a variety of roles instead of holding him back as a late-game specialist, along with fellow lefty Brian Duensing. If a starter falters early, Maddon can call upon Montgomery, leaving Wilson for a heavier workload late in the game, perhaps against the aforementioned Murphy or Harper. The Cubs have to get there first, of course. Saturday was a bump in the road as part of a drama-filled stretch of games. All fun ones to watch. “Another intensely good baseball game, then they got us at the end,” Maddon said. On a day when the usually reliable Davis gave up two home runs, the unreliable Wilson did his job. Perhaps that label may begin to change for the latter. -- CSNChicago.com The Streak ends as Cubs watch Wade Davis finally blow a save: ‘It’s definitely on me’ By Patrick Mooney MILWAUKEE – The efficient, emotionless way Wade Davis did his job helped the Cubs stay afloat during the disappointing first half of this season, a time when late-inning losses could have really damaged the clubhouse and the defending World Series champs might have collapsed. Standing at his locker, Davis had the same stone-faced expression on his bearded face after Saturday afternoon’s 4-3 walk-off loss, the third straight 10-inning game the Cubs and Milwaukee Brewers have played at Miller Park. Because Davis had been 32-for-32 in save chances this year, the Cubs could appreciate all the heart-pounding action and how this compared to October. “We 100 percent won that game today, it seemed like,” Davis said in his monotone voice. “The offense and everything was incredible, coming back twice. It’s definitely on me.” It was jarring to watch Travis Shaw drive a hanging curveball over the fence in left-center field and into the Milwaukee bullpen. Teammates waited for Shaw at home plate with Gatorade buckets after that game-winning two-run homer, showering him and tearing his jersey apart amid the mosh pit, the Brewers still clinging to their hopes in the National League wild-card race. The perfect season already ended for Davis in the ninth inning, when Orlando Arcia hammered a misplaced 92-mph fastball that stayed just inside the left-field foul pole and landed in the second deck. The crowd of 44,067 watched Davis blow his first save since Sept. 2, 2016, which also happened to be his first game back in the Kansas City Royals bullpen after spending more than a month on the disabled list with a flexor strain in his right elbow. “There’s nothing to lament right there,” manager Joe Maddon said. “Another intensely good baseball game. And they got us at the end. But there’s no way, shape or form to point a finger at Wade.” Davis wasn’t pointing a finger at Maddon and doing an Aroldis Chapman impression, but the All-Star closer did admit: “My arm was dragging a little bit.” The Cubs had used Davis five times within the last eight days, including a back-to-back-to-back last weekend against the St. Louis Cardinals and then asking him to get five outs in Thursday night’s 10-inning comeback win over Milwaukee. Until Saturday’s comeback, the Brewers had been 0-54 when trailing after eight innings.

“I just made a lot of bad pitches,” Davis said, who had converted his last 38 save chances and set a new franchise record to begin his Cubs career/set him up for a big contract this winter as a free agent. Maddon, who will face another round of bullpen-management questions when the playoffs begin, had Hector Rondon warming up in the 10th inning, but the right-hander threw a scoreless inning on Friday night, his first appearance since Sept. 8 after getting treated for a sore elbow. “If we did not score when we scored, I would have brought Rondon into the game,” Maddon said. “But once we scored, I put him back out there. It was a pretty easy equation. “He’s your best guy. There’s no second-guessing whatsoever. He was fine to go back out there.” What did The Streak mean to you? “Not much,” Davis said. “I obviously wanted to win today’s game and put us in a better position than we were yesterday. So it kind of stinks, but, you know, move on from it.” That summed up the entire mood inside the visiting clubhouse, the Cubs pointing to a dominant Kyle Hendricks start (one run in six innings), Justin Wilson auditioning for a trusted role out of the playoff bullpen (four outs) and a resourceful lineup that manufactured offense without hitting home runs. “It’s been a hell of a series so far,” Hendricks said. The magic number to eliminate the Brewers from the division race remains four, while the Cardinals were at five heading into their Saturday night game against the Pittsburgh Pirates. The Cubs can’t wait to unleash Davis in October. “There’s no difference between these three games and the games that are going to occur the next month,” Maddon said. “They were absolutely that intense.” -- CSNChicago.com Justin Wilson isn’t running away from big moments with Cubs: ‘I want the ball’ By Patrick Mooney MILWAUKEE – The Cubs have tried to find lower-pressure spots for Justin Wilson to work on things and rebuild his confidence without publicly burying a lefty reliever they specifically targeted before the July 31 trade deadline. Both manager Joe Maddon and team president Theo Epstein have given Wilson the vote of confidence, though the real test will be whether or not the Cubs actually trust him in the playoffs. “It’s an open book of communication here,” Wilson said. “We talk. I’ve talked to them and said: ‘Hey, I’m going to get right. I want the ball. I just want to keep getting back out there.’” Even after All-Star closer Wade Davis blew his first save in more than a year, the Cubs could find big-picture optimism about their bullpen because Wilson got four outs during Saturday’s 4-3 10-inning loss to the Milwaukee Brewers at Miller Park. “How good was that?” Maddon said. “That’s really something looking forward. He made a nice adjustment out there. It looked really good from the side. If we get that out of him, that could be a huge difference-maker for us.” That was the idea when the Cubs made Wilson their headliner in the package deal with catcher Alex Avila and reinforced the bullpen for another World Series run. Wilson closed for the Detroit Tigers, notching 13 saves for a bad team, putting up a 2.48 ERA in 42 appearances and shutting down left- and right-handed hitters.

Wilson – who gave up 16 walks in 40.1 innings for Detroit – allowed 16 walks and 17 hits through his first 14.1 innings as a Cub while putting up a 6.28 ERA. On a smoking 88-degree afternoon and in front of a loud crowd of 44,067, Wilson faced the top four hitters in the Milwaukee lineup and unleashed 17 fastballs in a row, all of them buzzing around 95-97 mph across the seventh and eighth innings. Wilson struck out Eric Sogard and Neil Walker, forced Ryan Braun to fly out to left field and struck out Travis Shaw swinging. With stuff like that, the magic number to clinch the National League Central title in the low single digits and another week left in the regular season, the Cubs hope Wilson can figure it out and become the late-inning weapon they envisioned. “Clearly, it hasn’t been the same for me from before the trade,” Wilson said. “I just want to keep pitching.” -- CSNChicago.com After playoff run, Shohei Otani could be the next big thing on Cubs’ radar By Patrick Mooney MILWAUKEE – Shohei Otani is supposed to be Japan’s Babe Ruth, a potential top-of-the-rotation starter with a 100-mph fastball and a left-handed slugger who hit 22 homers last year for the Hokkaido Nippon Ham Fighters. Imagine what kind of mad-scientist moves Cubs manager Joe Maddon could make with a talent like that. “If he’s that freakin’ good, there’s a lot of things you could do,” Maddon said. “If he’s that good, it presents a lot of unique situations.” Yes, the Cubs will be in on Otani, because any team that can afford the $20 million posting fee would be foolish not to make the recruiting pitch to a two-way player who’s only 23 years old and apparently willing to work for around the major-league minimum ($545,000) next season. The Cubs want to be known for playing in October on an annual basis and won’t stop after the second straight National League Central title that feels inevitable after this playoff-atmosphere weekend against the Milwaukee Brewers at Miller Park. Otani will be the big name on MLB Trade Rumors this offseason. The Cubs are capped under this collective bargaining agreement and could only offer a maximum $300,000 signing bonus. But if money had been the No. 1 priority, Otani would presumably just wait out Major League Baseball’s system for two more years and cash in with a $200 million megadeal. “He’s not available right now,” team president Theo Epstein said. “There was a story that came out that said that he would request a post. I’m not going to talk about any player that’s not available.” New York Yankees general manager Brian Cashman was among the group of officials who recently traveled to Sapporo to scout Otani in person. San Francisco Giants manager Bruce Bochy watched Otani highlights on a laptop and told Bay Area reporters: “I absolutely would play him every day.” “There’s always the exception to the rule,” Maddon said. “I think the day after, the two days after you pitch, maybe not. You’d have to give your arm some kind of breather. “He’s a perfect fit for an American League team then. When he’s not starting, he DHs. For an American League team to find a player like that — where you don’t have to go spend all that dough on a good DH and get this starting pitcher and a guy that can actually hit — kind of intriguing.

“If he’s that good, you can go National League (rules) when he pitches. If he’s that good, for one day, you would have an extra player on the bench. You could do whatever you want.” There are a lot of ifs and unknowns with Otani, a low-cost, high-upside option that would fit with just about any team’s vision, from the defending World Series champs, to San Francisco’s rebuild, to the bright lights at Yankee Stadium or Fenway Park or Dodger Stadium. “On the surface, I would say American League, easy, National League, get creative,” Maddon said. “But if he’s not pitching, you don’t want him like moving his arm that much, even throwing the ball in from the outfield. “If he’s used to doing it, that might be something different entirely, too.” The Cubs are loaded with position players and already have a good idea of what their Opening Day lineup could look like through 2021. But next year’s rotation should be dramatically reshaped with Jake Arrieta and John Lackey about to become free agents. “It’s interesting,” said Maddon, thinking back to his years in player development. “But I think that can be done more in the minor leagues. If you have the DH and you have a young guy with a good arm — but you’re not sure and you see he runs well or he has exceptional pop, something that’s a really exciting offensive tool — let him DH a couple days a week in between his starts.” Who knows? That pretty much sums up the Otani sweepstakes. The Cubs can sell their built-to-win foundation, iconic Wrigley Field, a world-class city and an international brand that will guarantee off-the-field endorsement money — and wait to see if that would be enough for baseball’s next big thing. -- Chicago Tribune Kyle Hendricks' consistency could loom large as Cubs move toward playoff berth By Mark Gonzales Kyle Hendricks wanted to stay in the game Saturday after throwing 112 pitches during a six-inning stint. "That's a good sign," Hendricks said. Given the state of their rotation, the Cubs could be leaning more on Hendricks after he limited the Brewers to one run on eight hits in a 4-3, 10-inning loss. Hendricks has been the closest to a sure thing among the rotation, which has been troubled by inconsistency and injury. Although he was pulled in favor of Justin Wilson to start the seventh, Hendricks wanted to pitch longer because the bullpen logged six innings Friday and 14 2/3 over its last three games. "I love that role," said Hendricks, whose 112 pitches were the most since he threw 123 against the Marlins on Aug. 1, 2016 — one night after eight relievers combined to throw nine innings. "As a pitcher, you want that on you in a way. I should have given a little more. The pitch count was way up there. I had a lot of deep counts. I was hoping to throw seven or eight (innings)." Nevertheless, Hendricks could be playing a more prominent role should the Cubs clinch their second straight National League Central title. He has a 2.34 ERA in 12 starts since returning from the disabled list. "Once he gets into the flow of the game, he keeps getting better," manager Joe Maddon said. Jose Quintana, hoping to pitch in the playoff for the first time, will start Sunday in the series finale with the opportunity to reduce the Cubs' magic number.

The Cubs hope left-hander Jon Lester regains the command that has deserted him during parts of the last 21/2 months, leading to a 5.08 ERA since July 1. He will open the four-game series against the Cardinals on Monday night in St. Louis. Jake Arrieta looked sharp in a five-inning stint Thursday, his first start since suffering a right hamstring strain Sept. 4. But after the long layoff, he needs to build endurance heading into a likely playoff berth. John Lackey, owner of World Series rings with three teams, hasn't lasted five innings in either of his last two starts, although he was ejected after 42/3 innings in the first. Red-hot: Jon Jay is batting .500 (8-for-16) with four runs, two doubles and three RBIs in his last four games. -- Chicago Tribune Wade Davis blows first save of season in Cubs' 10-inning loss to Brewers By Mark Gonzales Wade Davis' first blown save of the season came at the end of nine days of heavy work, so the Cubs' All-Star closer will receive at least one day of rest. Davis had converted his first 32 save opportunities of 2017 before Saturday afternoon, when he surrendered a tying home run to Orlando Arcia in the ninth and a two-run walk-off homer to Travis Shaw with one out in the 10th that gave the Brewers a 4-3 win at Miller Park. Davis, one of the few Cubs who has performed at a high level all season, received no blame after the game. "There was no way, shape or form to point a finger at Wade," said manager Joe Maddon, who would have employed Hector Rondon in the 10th had the Cubs not taken a 3-2 lead on Jon Jay's single that drove in Ian Happ. The Cubs' magic number to clinch the National League Central Division remained at five after the game. It would remain there with a Cardinals win Saturday night at Pittsburgh and fall to four if they lose to the Pirates. Going into Saturday night, both the Brewers and the Cardinals were 4 1/2 games behind the Cubs. Davis had converted 37 consecutive save opportunities overall since his previous blown save on Sept. 2, 2016 for the Royals against the Tigers. He allowed a one-out double to Ryan Braun before Shaw hit a hanging curve over the fence in left-center. "(Davis) is your best guy," Maddon said. "There's no second-guessing whatsoever. He was fine to go back out there." Davis, who threw 29 pitches and 1 2/3 innings in Thursday's 10-inning win, has pitched in six of the Cubs' last eight games, throwing 7 1/3 innings and striking out 13 in the nine-day span. But Davis lamented not being able to jam Arcia on a cut fastball and hanging a curveball to Shaw. "My arm was dragging a little bit," Davis said. "I just made bad pitches and good pitches for them to hit." But when asked later if he felt strongest late in the season, Davis replied: "100 percent. Just not a good day." Davis wasn't in a mood to reflect on the end of his save streak. "I just wanted to win the game and get us in a better position than we were in," Davis said. "It kind of stinks. But we'll move on from it."

The Cubs showed their resourcefulness once more in the competitive series after winning the first two back-and-forth games. Happ had an RBI single in the second inning, and he scored go-ahead runs after he led off the eighth with a double and the 10th with a walk. Jason Heyward's bunt set up Jay's RBI single in the 10th, and left-hander Justin Wilson pitched 1 1/3 scoreless innings. Wilson has struggled since his acquisition from the Tigers at the July 31 trade deadline but has three scoreless outings in his last four appearances. He is starting to display a knack for strikeouts in key situations. Wilson struck out Matt Carpenter of the Cardinals with two on and two outs on Sept. 15, and he struck out three of the four batters he faced Saturday. "How good was that?" Maddon said. "That was something. If we get that out of him, that could be a huge difference maker for us." Wilson's effectiveness could reduce the workload of fellow left-hander Brian Duensing and enable Maddon to extend Mike Montgomery for multiple innings if needed. Even during Wilson's struggles, President Theo Epstein and Maddon stressed their faith in him. "It's an open book of communication," Wilson said. "We talk. I talk to them and say I want to get it right. I want the ball and keep getting back out there." -- Chicago Tribune Cubs squander late leads against Brewers as made-for-October showdown continues By Paul Sullivan The Cubs never have had a closer as automatic as Wade Davis before, which is why Saturday afternoon's 4-3, 10-inning loss to the Brewers at Miller Park was so shocking. After entering the game a perfect 32-for-32 in save opportunities, Davis failed not once but twice to put away the game, serving up a tying home run to Orlando Arcia in the ninth and a walk-off homer to Travis Shaw in the tenth. One moment the Cubs-dominant crowd of 44,067 was on its feet expecting another crushing, extra-inning loss by the Brewers, and the next those fans were watching a wild, watercooler-dumping celebration at home plate by a team that just won't stay down. The Cubs' magic number to clinch the National League Central Division still shrank to four after the Cardinals' lost to the Pirates on Saturday night. The Brewers are 4 1/2 games behind the Cubs, with the Cardinals five back. Davis' rare implosion was gut-wrenching for the Cubs, and he admitted his recent workload may have affected him in his first blown save in 38 appearances. "I don't know," he said. "My arm was dragging a little bit. I just made a lot of bad pitches, and a good pitch for (Shaw) to hit." This was another made-for-October game in late September between the haves and the have-nots. The Brewers' $60.8 million payroll on Opening Day was lowest in the majors for the second straight year, according to Associated Press figures, while the Cubs ranked sixth at $176.8 million. That the Brewers are still alive in the playoff picture is a testament to the ability of manager Craig Counsell to get the most out of his young players, who really don't match up with the Cubs in talent or experience. "Another intensely, good baseball game, then they got us at the end," Cubs manager Joe Maddon said. "But there's no way, shape or form to point a finger at Wade."

Some fingers will be pointed at Maddon for bringing Davis back for a second inning in the tenth. Had the Cubs not gone ahead in the top of the inning, Maddon would've used Hector Rondon, but he had no qualms about going back to his closer. "It's a pretty easy equation," Maddon said. "He's your best guy. I bet there is no second-guessing whatsoever. He was fine to go back out there." Davis stood and accepted the blame, unlike Brewers closer Corey Knebel, who blew off the media after losing Friday's game. "We 100 percent won that game it seemed like," Davis said. "The offense and everything was incredible, coming back twice. It's definitely on me on that part. But it has been some good games." With one game remaining, this series has already been more than anyone could ask for in a pennant race. Thursday gave us Javy Baez's two-out, two strike tying hit in the ninth that Counsell called "a 62-hopper," Davis escaping a bases-loaded, one-out jam in the bottom of that inning and Kris Bryant's game-winning, two-run blast in the 10th. Friday's encore featured Jon Jay's 15-pitch at-bat, Baez throwing out Ryan Braun from his knees, Tommy La Stella's game-winning, bases-loaded walk in the 10th and Carl Edwards Jr.'s impersonation of Davis. So what could they do on Saturday to up the ante? Kyle Hendricks and Brent Suter dueled for the first time since they matched up in a Dartmouth-Harvard game in 2011. The Cubs snapped a 1-1 tie in the eighth on Bryant's sacrifice fly. At that point most Cubs fans were wondering if Hendricks should be the Game 1 starter in the potential NL Division Series against the Nationals. But planning that far ahead is seldom a wise decision, even in the Cubs' post-drought era. Arcia promptly homered down the left-field line leading off the ninth, giving Davis his first blown save since Sept. 2, 2016 with the Royals. Jay's RBI single off Jeremy Jeffress put the Cubs back on top in the 10th, before Braun answered the booing majority with a one-out double to right. Davis then hung a curve to Shaw, whose two-run shot to left-center saved the day and perhaps the Brewers' season. Asked what the franchise-record streak meant to him, Davis replied: "Not much. Obviously wanted to win today's game and put us in a better position than we were, so that kind of stinks. But move on from it." The Cubs will quickly move on, with Jose Quintana facing Chase Anderson on Sunday. Maddon said this showdown series has brought out the best in both teams. "It's been a fabulous series to this point," he said. "There's no difference between these three games and games that are going to occur the next month. They are absolutely that intense, well played on both sides. Give both teams credit." This is what baseball is all about, and why you can't wait for the next game. -- Chicago Tribune Cubs manager Joe Maddon eschews free-agent lobbying By Mark Gonzales

Manager Joe Maddon appreciates the significant roles closer Wade Davis and outfielder Jon Jay have played in the Cubs' surge toward the National League Central title. But Maddon, recalling a lesson he learned two decades ago, said he won't publicly lobby for the team to re-sign them or other potential free agents. Maddon recalled during one of his stints as interim manager of the California Angels in the 1990s that he lobbied for the team to re-sign left-hander Chuck Finley. "I have no clue," Maddon recalled. "I started talking about how much it would be great it to have Chuck Finley back. The moment I do that, I’m aiding that side regarding negotiations. "So my job is to do this: I’ll have private conversations with (President) Theo Epstein and (general manager) Jed Hoyer, and we’ll talk about things. If they ask me, of course I’ll give them my opinion. But publicly, I don’t think it serves any purpose to say things like that." Maddon added that numbers and scouting reports play only a part in the evaluations. "Don’t forget the heartbeat," Maddon said. "Some guys don’t play that as good on paper as they do on the field. I like the guy who plays well on the field." -- Chicago Tribune Cubs manager Joe Maddon: 'Intriguing' two-way players likely better suited for AL By Mark Gonzales As far back as the 1980s in the Angels' organization, Cubs manager Joe Maddon looked for ways to find a pitcher who could hit on days he didn't pitch. The possibility of Japanese two-way star Shohei Otani raised Maddon's curiosity, although Maddon hasn't seen Otani -- who hasn't declared to play in the major leagues yet. Cubs President Theo Epstein declined Tuesday to discuss the 23-year-old Otani. But Maddon, speaking in general terms, thought a player of Otani's skills might be more attracted to the American League -- where he can perform designated hitter duties when he's not pitching. "And for an AL team to find a player like that, you don’t have to spend all that dough on a DH and a starting pitcher and a guy who can actually hit is kind of intriguing." Maddon said it would take some creativity by a National League team to handle Otani, who also can play the outfield. "When he's not pitching, you don’t want him moving his arm around that much," Maddon said. "In the outfield, he's used to doing that. That might be something entirely different too. "On the surface, the American League sounds like the right spot." There will be a bonus limit on Otani, 23, should he file to play in the states, but he can gain greater riches with his next contract. The Cubs have scouted Otani, but many large market major league teams are expected to court him. --

Chicago Sun-Times Why Kyle Hendricks could be poised for bigger role in playoff rotation By Gordon Wittenmyer MILWAUKEE – If these games in Milwaukee this weekend – three consecutive 10-inning bouts and counting – are as close to playoff intensity as the Cubs say they are, then consider Kyle Hendricks ready for October. And don’t underestimate how important that is for a defending World Series champion that has sprung starting rotation leaks every few days for the past month or so. Almost lost in the late-inning drama of Saturday’s 4-3 walkoff loss to the Brewers at Miller Park was a six-inning performance by last year’s major-league ERA champ that looked reminiscent of the fall of 2016. “It feels close,” Hendricks said after a season-high 112-pitch start that got stronger as it got deeper into the game. He gave up eight hits, but three of them were first-inning singles, when he allowed his only run. “He wanted to go back out [for the seventh],” manager Joe Maddon said. “He had good stuff right down to the very end. He felt strong, which is good going into his next start.” More than that, it could be critical going into next month. Maddon described the recent return of Jake Arrieta from a hamstring injury and Jon Lester’s struggles since returning from a lat injury as significant parts of that answer. Another significant part could be Hendricks’ ascension and increasing strength since he missed seven weeks with a hand injury. He has a 2.34 ERA in 12 starts since his return, and last year’s Game 7 World Series starter – who beat Clayton Kershaw in the National League pennant clincher – said he’s ready to move as far up in the rotation plans as the team might need. “Last year I really came into my own, somewhat at least, in the playoffs to pitch those big innings compared to the year before that,” he said. “I know we’ve had a few guys [injured] and have had ups and downs with the rotation. The way I feel right now and with the time I missed, that was the goal I came back with – to be strong at the end here and give the team more innings if they need it. “And I still feel strong. Hopefully, that can continue all the way through October.’’ Justin case for postseason? Anybody notice the way struggling newcomer Justin Wilson handled the top of the Brewers’ order in the seventh and eighth innings Saturday? Leaning hard on a firm fastball with newfound command, the left-hander struck out Eric Sogard, Neil Walker and Travis Shaw in his four-up, four-down performance, suggesting he has unlocked the answer to his control problems in the weeks after being acquired in July from the Tigers. “How good was that?” Maddon said. “That’s really something looking forward. If we get that out of him that could be a huge difference maker for us.” Said Wilson: “I’ve been working just to get back to right, and clearly it hasn’t been that way. It’s a game of adjustments.” --

Chicago Sun-Times Cubs voice Pat Hughes on an ‘exhilarated’ ride he hopes won’t end soon By Steve Greenberg MILWAUKEE — Like so many of the Cubs players whose games he calls from the radio booth, Pat Hughes broke into the big leagues early. It was with the Twins. The fresh-faced kid from San Jose, California, was all of 27. “It was Detroit at Minnesota, opening night, 1983 — and the Tigers scored six runs in the top of the first inning,” Hughes recalled. “They wound up beating Minnesota 11-3. So maybe that was an omen that I should get ready for some struggles as a broadcaster covering teams.” Twelve seasons with the Brewers came next, and there have been 22 in Chicago with the Cubs since. It would be banal to say Hughes blinked and turned 62 years old. No, his 3½ decades at the major-league microphone have been packed with good teams and bad ones, good times and exhausting ones. A whole lot of us would sign up for watching baseball and talking about the Cubs for a living. Hughes is the first to say that he has a dream job. But it isn’t just the players who are out there grinding. Getting from spring training in Mesa, Arizona, to the finish line of a season can feel like going the distance on the blazing Arizona Trail. “In years past, before the Cubs became World Series champions in 2016, I would always look forward to the end of the season very much,” Hughes said. “It’s a long year. You go from February and March all the way to the All-Star break and then through the season. You have the hot summer. You’re performing every day and traveling like an absolute lunatic.” It’s that time of year when Hughes probably could check the soles of his shoes and find a hole or two. Three straight extra-inning games in Milwaukee, including Saturday’s 4-3, walk-off victory by the Brewers? That’ll wear anybody out. Yet, Hughes is a man reborn in his 60s. The end of the season can wait. “Last year,” he said, “I found that I was exhilarated to the point, in the postseason, where I never felt more alive in my entire career. And now this year, to be honest with you, I’m not looking forward to the end of the season nearly the way that I used to. I want this season to continue as long as possible. “I guess once you’ve had a taste of the World Series, even as a broadcaster, you want to taste it again.” Hughes hears his call of the final out of the World Series almost daily on the Cubs’ pregame show and, all these months later, still gets goosebumps. “It almost sounds like it’s somebody else,” he said. “It’s a strange experience. But I feel like I did OK. You always feel like you could’ve done a little bit better, maybe, but I can live with it.” Oh, how he’d love to take another crack at a moment like that a little over a month from now. A mere 180 games into Year 35 of his big-league career (total games broadcast: more than 6,000), Hughes stood in his unassuming way on the periphery of the Cubs’ clubhouse and sized up the team’s chances to lead its radio voice — and the rest of us — on another epic journey. “If we get into the postseason, we can beat anybody,” he said. “I don’t feel intimidated, especially with the Dodgers’ collapse. And Washington, they’ve had their little mini-problems with [Bryce] Harper, [Max] Scherzer missing a couple of starts, [Stephen] Strasburg having some arm issues. “Every team can be beaten. I’m not saying we will win. I’m smart enough to know that I’m not smart enough to predict baseball. But if we get in, I like our chances.” -- Chicago Sun-Times Saves streak ends for Wade Davis in loss but could Cubs career extend? By Gordon Wittenmyer

MILWAUKEE — Wade Davis spent the last year and three weeks doing nothing on a baseball field except preserve every lead he was handed by two different teams. Then on one Saturday afternoon, the surest ninth-inning bet in the game blew two leads in as many innings to send the Cubs to a 4-3, 10-inning loss against the Brewers at Miller Park. One inning after Orlando Arcia’s leadoff homer in the ninth ended Davis’ franchise-record saves streak, Travis Shaw’s two-run homer on a hanging breaking pitch ended the game. “There’s nothing to lament right there,” manager Joe Maddon said. “There’s no way, shape or form to point a finger at Wade. He’s outstanding.” The Cubs are in no immediate danger of losing control of the -National League Central race, still 4½ games ahead of the Brewers and five ahead of the Cardinals with eight to play. If anything, the Davis aberration underscores one of the few things the Cubs have been able to rely on throughout a season of injuries and lapses — and one of the reasons they might be compelled to revisit his future with the club when he becomes a free agent in six weeks. “He’s made a tremendous impact on us,” said Maddon, who had Hector Rondon ready to pitch the 10th had the Cubs not scored in the top half. “Not only [on the mound], but the way he’s mentored the other guys. He’s such a really good, calming influence out there.” When the Cubs took the lead on Jon Jay’s run-scoring single, there was no hesitation by the manager after Davis’ 16-pitch ninth. “Listen, he’s your best guy,” Maddon said. “There’s no second-guessing whatsoever.” An unflappable veteran with 32 saves in 32 chances — 38-for-38 going back to last year — will do that for a manager’s mindset. Not that Davis spent much emotion on the streak — or much more on its end. Exactly how much did the streak mean to him? “Not much,” he said. “Obviously, I wanted to win today’s game and put us in a better position than we’re in. So it kind of stinks, but you move on from it.” Davis spends just about as much emotion on his impending free-agent status. “Not even thinking about it,” he said. “Literally irrelevant at this point.” It’s not irrelevant to the Cubs, who will be in the market for a closer this winter and will be hard-pressed to do better than the 32-year-old right-hander. Davis said he hasn’t considered so much as how many years he might seek. But he said he hopes the Cubs want to talk about bringing him back when the time comes. “It’s been good. The season’s gone by fast, which is a good sign,” he said Friday. “When the season goes by fast, it means you’re having fun and things are going your direction. It’s definitely been a very good experience.” Davis, the Cubs’ lone All-Star this season, was acquired from the Royals in December in a trade for outfielder Jorge Soler. The top closer on the market this winter had a 1.95 ERA until Saturday.

He makes $10 million this year and could command the big-ticket price that Cubs president Theo -Epstein has tended to avoid for closers. Davis also has been an ideal fit with the Cubs this year and could be hard to resist, especially as a handful of big salaries fall off the books after this year. “I think there’s a chance for anything,” pitching coach Chris Bosio said before quickly emphasizing the focus on the task at hand. “He’s had a great year,” Epstein said. “He’s been a leader out there. Any team would love to have him. But we’re not to the winter yet.” Davis has other things on his mind right now, too, he said. “I’m just kind of anxious to win a World Series,” he said, “and then go hunting.” -- Daily Herald Wade blows first save of season in Cubs' 4-3 loss to Brewers By Bruce Miles MILWAUKEE -- Wade Davis has been the rock of the Cubs bullpen all season long. But even the most solid of rocks can be moved or get worn down over the course of time. After being perfect in a club-record 32 straight saves to start a Cubs career, Davis finally blew a save, and it came Saturday in a 4-3 loss to the Milwaukee Brewers at Miller Park. With the Cubs leading 2-1 entering the bottom of the ninth inning, Davis gave up a leadoff home run to Orlando Arcia. For a third straight day, the Cubs and Brewers went to extra innings. The Cubs played small ball to score a run, but in the bottom of the 10th, Ryan Braun doubled with one, and Travis Shaw crushed an opposite-field homer to left-center on a 1-0 pitch. The Brewers (82-73), whose playoff hopes are teetering, celebrated at home plate as they snapped a three-game losing streak. The Cubs have more margin with which to work. They remain in first place in the National League Central at 86-68. Davis did not pitch in Friday, but he did enter a second inning of work for the second time in three days. "I don't know," he said as he faced reporters at his locker. "My arm was dragging a little bit. I just made a lot of bad pitches and good pitches for them to hit." Davis said he wanted to get the 0-1 pitch to Arcia "in more" on an 0-1 count. He termed the pitch to Shaw a "hanging curveball." Lest you think anyone was hanging his head in the Cubs clubhouse, even after a tough loss, think again. The music was playing, but not blaring, as players dressed and exited. And no one was hanging this one on Davis.

"No, there's nothing to lament right there," said manager Joe Maddon. "They hit a couple home runs. Give them credit. Another intensely good baseball game, and they got us at the end. But there's no way, shape or form to point a finger at Wade." There's nothing flashy or flamboyant about the 32-year-old Davis, either on the mound, in the clubhouse or in the bullpen during games. "He's been outstanding," said left-handed reliever Justin Wilson, who joined the Cubs in July after being traded from Detroit. "He's just great: great teammate, great pitcher. He's done everything we've asked him to do. The numbers are there. He goes out there and does it. It's not easy. Tough one for the team today. It's been a tight series. It's been a fun series. Back at it tomorrow." Kyle Hendricks started for the Cubs and worked 6 innings of 8-hit, 1-run ball as he turned in his eighth quality start in a row. The Brewers scored a run off Hendricks in the first before Ian Happ's RBI single tied the game in the second. The Cubs took a 2-1 lead in the eighth on a sacrifice fly by Kris Bryant after Happ (double) and Jason Heyward (walk) reached and were bunted to second by Jon Jay. In the top of the 10th, Happ walked and was sacrificed to second by Heyward in a rare spasm of late-inning small-ball by Maddon against Jeremy Jeffress as the Cubs attempted to stay out of a double play. Jay singled to center to give the Cubs a short-lived lead. As for the weekend's entertainment value, it's been hard to beat. The Cubs came in and won the first two games and knocked the Brewers into third place while trying to hold off the second-place Cardinals. The Brewers fans in Saturday's sellout crowd of 44,067 got to celebrate a victory in the 10th instead of going home crushed. It's been that kind of series. "Absolutely," Maddon said. "It's a fabulous series to this point. There's no difference between these three games and the games that are going to occur the next month. They're absolutely that intense, well played on both sides. Give both teams credit." -- Daily Herald Jay has spark for Cubs By Bruce Miles MILWAUKEE -- The joy of baseball? How about the Jay of baseball? Outfielder Jon Jay has been a spark of life for the Cubs this season after signing a one-year free-agent deal last off-season. In Friday night's victory over the Brewers, he doubled home a run in the third inning and worked a 15-pitch at-bat before singling and scoring in the fifth. Even though the Cubs fell short Saturday, losing 4-3 in 10 innings, Jay did his part. He had a sacrifice and 2 singles, 1 of them driving home the go-ahead run in the 10th.

"I love this game," he said Saturday. "This is what you spend all off-season working out for and spring training. You grind through the season for moments like this. Hopefully your team is in a position to go to October and make a run. That's where we're at, so this is when baseball is a lot of fun." Reporters were still talking about Jay's 15-pitch at-bat to manager Joe Maddon Saturday morning. "One thing I've noticed with him, two strikes does not bother him," Maddon said. "He'll be 0-2, 1-2 a lot, and the at-bat is not over. When that happens with him, you're never really discouraged because he does that. I don't mean work a 15-pitch at-bat, but he does not cave in. He's able to move the ball. He'll use the whole field. You saw even the foul balls were everywhere. That's the throwback component of him that I really appreciate -- how he works at-bats." Just in time: It's been a struggle for left-handed reliever Justin Wilson since he came to the Cubs in a deadline deal with the Detroit Tigers. But on Saturday, Wilson struck out three of the four batters he faced. "It was better," said Wilson, who is 1-0 with a 5.74 ERA with the Cubs. "Tough one for us as a team, but better for me." Wilson gave up 3 hits and a run in Thursday's series opener, but he and the Cubs felt he threw the ball well. "The results weren't there the other night," he said. "I pitched well. Probably went to the well too many times on (Domingo) Santana and a bad pitch to (Eric) Thames. But two pitches away from getting out of that. Today was better." More quality from Hendricks: Kyle Hendricks got a tough-luck no-decision Saturday. He worked 6 innings, giving up 8 hits and 1 run as his ERA fell to 3.14 for the season. He has 8 straight quality starts, the longest streak by a Cubs pitcher this year. His ERA in those 8 quality starts is 2.25. "Actually, I was kind of surprised -- I was kind of fatigued at the beginning (of the game)," he said. "It was really hot at the beginning. Once the shadows crept in, it cooled off, and I felt a lot better at the end." -- Cubs.com Cubs turn to Q, Crew calls on Anderson in finale By Carrie Muskat It's been a smooth transition for Jose Quintana to go from the White Sox to the Cubs. All he had to do was keep pitching well, and the left-hander could be key in helping the Cubs get to the postseason for the third straight year. On Sunday, Quintana will make his 13th start since joining the Cubs when they take on the Brewers in the series finale at Miller Park. Milwaukee will counter with right-hander Chase Anderson, who is unbeaten at home. What's at stake? A lot. The Cubs have a magic number of 5 in the National League Central with one week of games remaining after this weekend, while the Brewers are still alive in the NL Central and NL Wild Card races, sitting 4 1/2 games back of Chicago in the division and one game back of Colorado for the second NL Wild Card spot.

The first three games of the series have all been decided in the 10th inning, with the Cubs winning on Thursday and Friday nights, and the Brewers getting into the win column after Travis Shaw's walk-off two-run homer off Wade Davis on Saturday. Quintana is 6-3 with a 3.95 ERA in his dozen starts since joining the Cubs and is coming off a no-decision against the Cardinals, against whom he gave up three runs over 5 2/3 innings. "He's becoming more part of the fabric, he knows the guys now, he seems more at ease," Cubs manager Joe Maddon said of Quintana. "He's become part of the group. He's assimilated well. "He's easy to respect," Maddon said. "It's easy to respect this guy the way he goes about his work. He's become more comfortable with us and I think he won us over with the way he went about his work." Anderson had an impressive but abbreviated outing against the Cubs on Sept. 9, when he gave up one hit -- a two-out single by Ben Zobrist in the fourth inning -- over five scoreless innings while striking out five. Sunday will be his fourth start of the year against the Cubs. There's no place like Miller Park for the right-hander, who is 5-0 with a 2.34 ERA in 10 starts at home. Three things to know about this game • With a lefty on the mound, Sunday would typically be a day for strong-armed Brewers catcher (and right-handed hitter) Manny Pina to start. But he remained day to day as of Saturday morning with a sprained left thumb, suffered when Pina tagged out Anthony Rizzo at home plate in Thursday's series opener. The Brewers do have two other right-handed-hitting catchers on the active roster in Jett Bandy and Andrew Susac. "It's likely a day-to-day situation at this point, where we need to see how he's doing each day to determine if he can play," Brewers GM David Stearns said. "[Pina] has been receiving treatment regularly with the goal of controlling the discomfort. I know Manny wants to get back out there." • Jason Heyward did not start on Saturday against Brewers lefty Brent Suter but was expected back in Sunday's lineup in right field. The Cubs outfielder, however, has held his own against lefties, batting .274 so far, compared to .256 against right-handed pitchers. • Since returning from Triple-A Iowa, the Cubs' Kyle Schwarber is batting .250 (46-for-184) with six doubles, a triple, 17 home runs, and 26 RBIs. -- Cubs.com Davis falters, Cubs miss chance to trim number By Adam McCalvy and Carrie Muskat MILWAUKEE -- "This is playoff baseball for us," Brewers manager Craig Counsell said after his team pulled off its most stunning victory of the season. If the actual playoffs prove this compelling, baseball fans everywhere are in for a treat. In a third consecutive extra-inning thriller between two teams which have jockeyed in the National League Central, Orlando Arcia lined a tying leadoff home run in the bottom of the ninth inning and Travis Shaw hit a walk-off two-run blast in the 10th as the Brewers twice rallied against lights-out Cubs closer Wade Davis for an improbable 4-3 win in front of a sellout crowd on Saturday at Miller Park. "It's a fabulous series to this point," said Cubs manager Joe Maddon. "There's no difference between these three games and the games that will occur next month [in the postseason]. They're absolutely that intense, well played on both sides. Give both teams credit."

The Brewers had lost their last 69 games when trailing after eight innings, dating to August 2016 in Seattle. Davis had converted 38 straight saves for the Royals and Cubs, including all 32 this season since signing with Chicago. "I probably haven't been able to come up with the words for this series," Counsell said. "If this hasn't been the best baseball series that you've seen in a long time, then you've seen some pretty good baseball. This is as exciting as it gets." Chicago's magic number to clinch the NL Central remained at five over St. Louis, pending the Cardinals' result later Saturday in Pittsburgh. Milwaukee climbed to 4 1/2 games behind the Cubs in the division, and one game behind the Rockies for the second NL Wild Card spot. Davis' streak of 32 saves to begin his Cubs career was a franchise record. It ended leading off the ninth, when Arcia connected with a high-and-tight fastball and kept it fair down the left-field line for his 15th home run. The Cubs answered right back in the top of the 10th, taking a 3-2 lead on Jon Jay's RBI single that sent Davis back to the mound with another one-run cushion. Ryan Braun hit a one-out double before Shaw sent a curveball into the Brewers' bullpen in left-center field, where Milwaukee's remaining relievers threw up their hands in celebration. "There's nothing to lament right there," Maddon said. "They hit a couple home runs, give them credit. Another intensely good baseball game and they got us at the end. There's no way, shape or form to point a finger at Wade." Shaw's first career walk-off home run gave him 31 homers and 99 RBIs this season. Davis, who blew a save for the first time since Sept. 2, 2016, was ready to move on. "Obviously, I wanted to win today's game and put us in a better position than we were [before the game]," Davis said. "That kind of stinks. Move on from it." That is precisely what the Brewers did after losing each of the previous three games in their opponent's final at-bat. Twice on Saturday, they were three outs away from a similarly cruel finish before Arcia and Shaw saved them. "This felt like one of the more-significant regular-season wins I've ever been a part of," said 10-year veteran Braun. "For us, it was a must-win game. A game that keeps us alive. And just a lot of fun -- they have been phenomenal baseball games all the way around." MOMENTS THAT MATTERED Orlando magic: Maybe it was the volume of Cubs fans who made the drive up Interstate 94 for this showdown series, but Miller Park seemed eerily subdued when Arcia connected off Davis. At 107.3 mph off the bat, according to Statcast™, it was the hardest batted ball of any kind in Arcia's career. Off the bat, the question was whether it would stay fair. "Actually, I thought it might go foul," Arcia said through translator Carlos Brizuela. "After those first two games, we definitely needed it. You turn the page after two bad losses and look forward to the next one." "I wanted to get it in more and, obviously, I didn't," Davis said. "He put a pretty good swing on it." Doing the little things: The late-inning back-and-forth began in the eighth, when the Cubs' first four batters did the little things right to help Chicago take a 2-1 lead. It started with Ian Happ going the opposite way with a Jacob Barnes cutter on the other half of home plate and sending a leadoff double to the wall in left-center field, and Jason Heyward followed by taking a four-pitch walk. Since the Brewers' best left-handed bullpen weapon, Josh Hader, was down for the day, Anthony Swarzak took over to face lefty-hitting Jay, who pushed a textbook sacrifice bunt to third base. Kris Bryant then followed by guessing right at a slider, Swarzak's primary pitch, and lifting a sacrifice fly that was deep enough to deny strong-armed Brewers center fielder Brett Phillips a chance to throw home. QUOTABLE

"You can feel the energy, but I think we're just not letting it get to us. You know it's there, but we've been in that moment. It feels pretty normal. We know what has to be done and we're just going pitch to pitch. You hear a lot of guys say, 'The heartbeat's there.' It's impressive to watch everybody that locked in and focused on the task." -- Cubs starter Kyle Hendricks, on the vibe this series, comparing it to postseason play. Hendricks allowed one run on eight hits while striking out six over six innings. "It's certainly improbable. ... If anything, it describes us this year and how the whole season has went. Everybody in there should be proud. It didn't look good, multiple times, but they kept coming back." -- Counsell, on the pair of comebacks against Davis WHAT'S NEXT Cubs: Lefty Jose Quintana will close this series on Sunday. Quintana did not get a decision in his last outing against the Cardinals, giving up three runs over 5 2/3 innings. He's faced the Brewers once this year, July 28, and took the loss, giving up two runs over six innings. First pitch is scheduled for 1:10 p.m. CT from Miller Park. Brewers: Chase Anderson's last start against the Cubs was a gem -- five efficient, scoreless innings at Wrigley Field that ended after 67 pitches because the Brewers had a 14-0 lead in the sixth. He'll look to repeat that outing when the series concludes Sunday. -- Cubs.com Maddon: Davis not to be blamed for defeat By Carrie Muskat MILWAUKEE -- Do not blame Wade Davis, Cubs manager Joe Maddon said emphatically after the closer blew his first save in more than a year, which resulted in a loss on Saturday to the Brewers. Davis served up two home runs -- only the second time he's ever done that as a reliever and the second time this year -- in the Cubs' 4-3 loss to the Brewers in front of a sellout crowd of 44,067 at Miller Park. Orlando Arcia hit a game-tying homer leading off the Milwaukee ninth and Travis Shaw connected on a two-run shot with one out in the 10th for the walk-off win. "He's your best guy," Maddon said of Davis. "There's no second-guessing whatsoever. He was fine to go back out there [for the 10th]. He strikes out [Neil] Walker, who's one of their hottest hitters, and looked good, and [Ryan] Braun keeps the ball fair [for a double] and Shaw hit a hanging breaking ball. There's nothing to lament about Wade right there. He's been outstanding." Take a moment to breathe, Cubs fans. It's been an intense, exhausting series, and this was the third straight extra-inning game. "There's no difference between these three games and the games that will occur next month," said Maddon, whose team has yet to secure a postseason berth, maintaining at least a 4 1/2-game lead over the Cardinals in the National League Central. Davis was a perfect 32-for-32 in save chances this season, and he had converted 38 straight since blowing a save Sept. 2, 2016, when he was with the Royals. Had he thought about the streak? "Not much," Davis said. "Obviously, I wanted to win today's game and put us in a better position [in the standings] than we were [before the game]. That kind of stinks. Move on from it." "He's been outstanding," Cubs reliever Justin Wilson said of Davis. "He's great -- great teammate, great pitcher. He's done everything we've asked of him." OK, so what happened against Arcia?

"I wanted to get it in more and, obviously, I didn't," Davis said. "He put a pretty good swing on it." And Shaw? "Hanging curveball," Davis said. "I was trying to bounce it there and didn't get it there." "I know he'd like to have the pitch back to Arcia," Maddon said. "That's the one that really hurt. That particular pitch was the only pitch [Arcia] could've hit out." Davis has been the anchor of the Cubs' bullpen, which has been short-handed lately because of innings and minor injuries. "He's such a good, calming influence out there," Maddon said of the right-hander, whom he has known since their days together in Tampa Bay. "I see him sit with guys in front of video all the time. Guys talk to me, this about Wade, that about Wade -- really complimentary things. He's made a tremendous impact on us." And if Davis had maintained his perfect save-completion streak, Maddon would've been OK with that, too. "For me, I'll take 50 in a row without blowing one," Maddon said. The Cubs wasted a solid outing by starter Kyle Hendricks, who threw a season-high 112 pitches over six innings. Wilson followed Hendricks with an encouraging 1 1/3 innings. If the Cubs hadn't scored in the 10th, taking a 3-2 lead on Jon Jay's RBI single, Hector Rondon would've replaced Davis. "It was a pretty easy equation," Maddon said. "[Davis] had been perfect for them all year in save chances, so you know it's really rare to have a chance to score any runs off of him," Braun said. "For us, it was a must-win game. A game that keeps us alive. And just a lot of fun -- they have been phenomenal baseball games all the way around." "We 100-percent won that game today," Davis said. "Offense and everything was incredible, coming back twice. That's definitely on me." "They beat us," Maddon said. "You move on to the next day. But do not point a finger at Wade." -- Cubs.com Jay impresses when down in the count By Carrie Muskat MILWAUKEE -- When Jon Jay fell behind, 0-2, against the Brewers' Brandon Woodruff to open the fifth inning on Friday, he wasn't fazed. The veteran outfielder took two pitches, then fouled off 10 in a row before he singled and eventually scored in the Cubs' 5-4, 10-inning win. "Two strikes does not bother him," Cubs manager Joe Maddon said. "He'll be 0-2, 1-2 a lot and the at-bat is not over. He does not cave in, he's able to move the ball. That's the throwback component of him that I really appreciate, which is how he works at-bats." The 15-pitch at-bat was the longest plate appearance of Jay's career, and the longest by a Cubs player that resulted in a hit. "I was just trying to battle and go out there and have a good at-bat," Jay said. "Every at-bat is our biggest at-bat. I'm just trying to put something together."

Woodruff did his part to mix up the pitches, throwing six sliders, five four-seam fastballs and four changeups. Jay eventually connected on an 84.9-mph changeup. "He was on everything," Maddon said of Jay. "I saw the variety of pitches thrown at him." It was a professional at-bat. "It's something I take a lot of pride in," Jay said. "I'm just trying to be consistent out there and stay in my lane and do what I can." Jay's at-bat was tied for the longest plate appearance resulting in a hit this season, done twice before. J.D. Martinez, then with the Tigers, also singled after a 15-pitch at-bat on June 29 and the Rays' Shane Peterson doubled on July 1. Worth noting • Carl Edwards Jr. has said he's learned a lot watching closer Wade Davis. Maddon can see the veteran Davis having an influence on Edwards, too. "I think having Wade around is good for him," Maddon said. "Wade demonstrates how not to get over-amped in a situation. As [Edwards] learns to become a total flat-liner, he'll become a good closer." And how does Davis help? "We sit in the room and play video games and he'll talk your head off," Edwards said. • Looking ahead, the Cubs will keep their rotation in order and start Jon Lester, Jake Arrieta, John Lackey and Kyle Hendricks in the upcoming four-game series against the Cardinals, which starts Monday. Lester struggled with his command in his last outing but Maddon said Saturday he isn't worried about the left-hander. "There's nothing wrong with him, ailment-wise," Maddon said. "If there was, I'd be concerned. But I'm not getting that at all." --