CHICAGO -- The other day, John Axford lost his job as the Brewers closer; on Tuesday night, he was charged with the loss as the Cubs rallied to win 6-3 at Wrigley Field.
Staked to a 3-0 lead, starter Wily Peralta pitched 6 and 2/3rds strong innings; he was charged with 2 earned runs. But Michael Gonzalez (ERA 13.50) allowed the game-tying run in the 7th inning.
In the 8th, Axford (ERA 24.30) couldn't preserve the tie; he left with the bases loaded and one out. The Cubs took the lead on Scott Hairston's sacrifice fly with Alfredo Figaro on the mound. David DeJesus added a 2-run single.
Shortstop Jean Segura returned to the line-up and had 2 hits. Catcher Jonathan Lucroy stranded 9 runners; the Brewers bats were all but silent after the 2nd inning.
The "rubber" game of the 3 game series is scheduled for Wednesday night with Kyle Lohse on the mound for Milwaukee.