Chicago Cubs Score and Recap (7/24/24): Brewers 3, Cubs 2 – Offense Flat Again as Brewers Win Series

The Cubs dropped another one-run decision to the Brewers on Wednesday afternoon. The culprit, as it so often has been this season, was a stagnant lineup that squeezed out just two early runs and put the bullpen under enough pressure to crack late.

Milwaukee got to Justin Steele in the top of the 1st inning with a run-scoring single by Jackson Chourio, but the lefty was able to strand the bases loaded and prevent further damage. The home team responded against 2016 Cubs legend Rob Zastryzny in the bottom of the frame with a seeing-eye RBI single by Ian Happ that tied the score.

The North Siders grabbed the lead in the bottom of the 3rd when Seiya Suzuki hit a solo home run to left off of Bryse Wilson. Steele was pulled after giving up a pair of singles to open up the 6th. Tyson Miller took over with one out and allowed a game-tying single to pinch-hitter Brice Turang, but the Brewers again stranded the bases loaded and the score remained even.

The Cubs offense completely shut down after the 3rd inning and it felt like just a matter of time before the Brewers went ahead. That moment came in the top of the 9th when William Contreras whacked what became the game-winning double against Héctor Neris. Chicago went quietly in the bottom of the frame as Milwaukee prevailed 3-2. (Box score)

Key Moment

The Cubs had a grand total of three runners reach second base on Wednesday. Amazingly, two of those men scored.

Why the Cubs Lost

It seems like the same story every game, there just isn’t enough scoring.

Stats That Matter

• Steele was victimized by some soft contact that went for hits: 5.1 IP, 2 R, 6 H, 4 K, and 3 BB.
• Suzuki doubled in addition to his home run and had the Cubs only two extra-base hits Wednesday.
• Nico Hoerner had his 16-game on-base streak snapped in this game.

Bottom Line

Really not much more to add here, the Cubs offense is bad and it’s not going to get better. The odds of any kind of playoff run are getting very, very slim.

On Deck

After a day off Thursday, the Cubs head to Kansas City for three games with the Royals starting Friday at 7:10pm CT. Kyle Hendricks and Brady Singer are the starting pitchers with a broadcast available on Marquee and 670 The Score.