MILWAUKEE -- The Chicago Cubs beat the Milwaukee Brewers 1-0 on Saturday night. Here's a quick look at the game.
How it happened: An RBI single by Addison Russell held up as Cubs starter Kyle Hendricks took a perfect game into the sixth inning before Martin Maldonado broke it up with a single up the middle. Hendricks left after six. He gave up just that hit and lowered his ERA to 3.95 for the season. Chris Coghlan went 3-for-4 and fell a home run shy of the cycle. Hector Rondon earned his 30th save of the season.
What it means: It's another win -- the Cubs' seventh in a row and 96th this season -- but if there's meaning for the playoffs, it's like a loss. The Cubs stranded runners all over the place, especially at third base, where their two best hitters, Kris Bryant and Anthony Rizzo, had several opportunities. Three times Bryant struck out with less than two outs and men on (once with the bases loaded, once with men on second and third, and once with men on first and second), while Rizzo followed him each time with outs to end the inning. In the eighth, pinch runner Quintin Berry reached third with nobody out, but Coghlan, Russell and David Ross all struck out to strand him. As a team, the Cubs left 12 on base; individually, it added up to 29. That won't cut it in a tight playoff contest.
Hendricks completes his regular season on a high note, as he gave up zero runs in his past two starts, encompassing 12 innings. His night continued a trend for Cubs starters, who have given up just one run combined over the past seven games.
Motte rehabbing: Reliever Jason Motte headed to Arizona, where he'll rehab an ailing shoulder. There's a possibility he could rejoin the team later in the postseason if his recovery goes well.
What's next: The final game of the regular season takes place Sunday afternoon, when Dan Haren (10-9, 3.67) takes on Jorge Lopez (1-0, 5.40).
