Caratini's homer gives Brewers win on the 4th

*Photo from AP News*

   Given his chance, Victor Caratini made his old team pay. Luis Urias scored the game tying run, Caratini belted the game winning homer, and the Milwaukee Brewers defeated the Chicago Cubs with a 5-2 walk off win in 10 innings on Monday afternoon in Milwaukee.

   Trailing 2-1 entering the 9th inning, the Brewers loaded the bases and tied the game, forcing extra innings. Caratini delivered in the 10th, sending the Brewers to their second straight win and 7th win in their last 10 games, still holding first place in the NL Central.

   Getting the start for the Brewers was Eric Lauer, who allowed one run on just two hits, striking out 9 hitters over 6 innings pitched. Jandel Gustave and Devin Williams each pitched an inning of scoreless relief, before Josh Hader gave up a run in the 9th inning. Brad Boxberger picked up the win thanks to a shutout inning in the 10th.

   Lauer said of his start that "It was a combination of a lot of work, a lot of preparation, just going out there and feeling good. That’s what I've been missing a little bit is the pitch ability. I’ve kind of lost that and have been boxing myself in a little too much. I just went out there and pitched, and it was a good time."

   Starting the scoring in this one was the Cubs. In the 3rd inning, Nelson Velazquez made it a 1-0 Cubs lead, hitting his first MLB homer, a solo shot to left field. It stayed that score until the 7th inning, when Pedro Severino hit an RBI double, scoring Keston Hiura to tie the game at a 1-1 score.

   In the top of the 9th, Seiya Suzuki, making his return from the IL, hit one into deep center field, ricocheting off the wall and giving Suzuki an inside the park home run, putting the Cubs ahead 2-1. With the bases loaded, Christian Yelich drew a walk to score Urias and tie the game 2-2. In the 10th, Caratini's 3 run walk off home run put the Brewers in the win column.

   Brewers manager Craig Counsell said of Caratini's walk off that "That's why you just have to keep going, no matter what's going on. Obviously he wasn't having his best game, but he got a chance to win the game. He was focused on having a good at-bat and forgetting about what happened, and as a result, something good happened."

   The starting pitcher for the Cubs was Justin Steele, who put together a good start, allowing one run on two hits in 6 2/3 innings of work, striking out 9 hitters. Brandon Hughes finished the 7th, giving way to Mychal Givens, David Robertson, and Scott Effross, with Effross getting the loss.

   Robertson said of Suzuki's inside the park home run in the 9th that "Seiya was incredible. That doesn't happen much. An inside-the-parker. A Little League home run. It happened."

   Up next, the Brewers and Cubs continue their series on Tuesday night. The Brewers will send Jason Alexander to the mound as the starting pitcher, while Kyle Hendricks goes for the Cubs.