CHICAGO _ The offense that once produced timely hits has faded, as has the quality starting pitching that carried the Chicago Cubs to their record-setting start.
For the second time in as many games, the Cubs blew a 3-0 lead. Keston Hiura hit a three-run home run off Jon Lester in the third inning and No. 9 hitter Orlando Arcia hit a two-run home run in the fifth that enabled the Brewers to seize a 6-5 victory Sunday, handing the Cubs their third consecutive loss.
The Cubs rallied in the sixth on a two-run single by Jason Kipnis, but Arcia haunted them again with a leadoff triple over the outstretched glove of a diving Ian Happ in center field. Ryan Braun followed with a single off Jason Adam that proved to be the game-winning hit.
Adam was promoted from the South Bend alternate site to take the roster spot of pitcher Tyler Chatwood, who was placed on the 10-day injured list because of a mid-back strain.
Brewers starter Josh Lindblom limited the Cubs to one hit in 13 at-bats and eight strikeouts after Steven Souza Jr. hit a two-run double to cap a three-run first.
Souza could get more playing time, pending the status of right fielder Jason Heyward.
Heyward was scratched from the lineup because of mid-back tightness. He was batting .343 (12-for-35) with two home runs and 10 RBIs in his last 11 games.
Lester had allowed only seven hits in 17 innings over his first three starts, but the Brewers tagged him for nine hits _ including four extra base hits.
Cubs shortstop Javier Baez did not start for the first time this season, but came on in the ninth as a pinch-hitter. Baez appeared to reach first safely on a slow grounder, but the call was overturned on a review.
Before the game, manager David Ross said he rested Baez because he had started all the games this season, was coping with a sinus ailment and is now hitless in his last 17 at-bats.
Nico Hoerner made his first start at shortstop this season in place of Baez and he lined out to center to end the game after fouling off seven consecutive pitches on a 3-2 count against Josh Hader.
