CHICAGO — As the Cubs have worked to get their offense back on track over the past month, the team’s rotation has done its part in holding the line. The starting staff has done so while also awaiting the return of veteran right-hander Jameson Taillon.
On Tuesday night, Taillon was activated from the injured list and rejoined the group with a quality start, helping guide the Cubs to a 4-1 win over the Brewers that sealed a sweep of the day’s doubleheader at Wrigley Field. His six-inning performance helped lower Chicago’s rotation ERA to a Major League-leading 3.10 since the All-Star break.
The timing of Taillon’s return also positioned the Cubs to trim their deficit in the National League Central to seven games behind the first-place Brewers. There is still a ways to go for Chicago, but the goal of trying to chase down a division title — while daunting in light of Milwaukee’s play over the past two months — remains on the table.
Taillon, who sustained a right calf strain a few days after his last appearance for the Cubs on June 29, limited the Brewers to one run. With two outs in the first inning, the big righty put two runners aboard before yielding an RBI single to Andrew Vaughn. Taillon sidestepped trouble from there, ending with four strikeouts in the 92-pitch effort.
Owen Caissie followed his three-RBI showing in Game 1’s 6-4 win with a run-scoring single off Brandon Woodruff in the second inning in the nightcap. Michael Busch (RBI double) and Nico Hoerner (RBI single) also helped the Cubs’ cause.
In the seventh, the Brewers threatened by putting two runners on with one out against Cubs lefty Taylor Rogers. Sal Frelick then sent a pitch to right field for what looked like a sacrifice fly in the making. Instead, Cubs right fielder Willi Castro made the catch and uncorked a perfect throw to the plate, cutting down Brice Turang for an emphatic inning-ending double play.
