March 26--The Brewers rallied for five runs in the ninth inning off left-hander Clayton Richard to hand the Cubs a 5-4 loss before a sellout crowd of 15,509 at Sloan Park.
At the plate: There might not be room on the infielder Munenori Kawasaki on the opening-day roster, but he continues to make a favorable impression at the plate. Kawasaki laid down a bunt single to start the third and ripped a double to open the seventh.
On the mound: The plan to delay and limit the work of relievers Pedro Strop and Hector Rondon appears to be working. Rondon struck out Keon Broxton on a 95 mph fastball to start a perfect sixth and Rondon retired the side in order in the seventh.
In the field: Right fielder Jason Heyward started in center and battled the sun to make two catches. Catcher David Ross nailed Domingo Santana on a steal attempt in the fourth.
Key number: 97 -- Speed, in mph, of Rondon's third strike on Santana in the seventh.
Up next: Vs. Giants, 3:05 p.m. Saturday at Sloan Park. RH John Lackey (0-1, 5.63) vs. RH Jeff Samardzija (0-3, 8.53).
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