MILWAUKEE _ A nine-game trip that seemed like an eternity ended Sunday for the Cubs in a 4-2 loss to the rival Brewers at Miller Park.
The Cubs (2-7) dropped two of three to the National League Central champions and are 5 { games out of first place.
The Brewers surged to a 4-0 lead after four innings against Kyle Hendricks and were able to save left-handed power reliever Josh Hader for the final 2 2/3 innings.
The Cubs put the tying run at first base with one out in the seventh, when Hader entered in relief of Alex Claudio.
Hader, making his first appearance since Tuesday, jammed Kris Bryant on a soft pop-up to second. Anthony Rizzo worked Hader to a full count before striking out on a 96 mph fastball to end the threat.
Hendricks allowed four runs on eight hits and paid dearly for poor location on his offspeed pitches. Christian Yelich ripped a two-run home run in the first.
Lorenzo Cain led off the third with a single to center on a 79 mph changeup, and Travis Shaw yanked a 71 mph curve to right to score Cain.
Yelich's sacrifice fly in the fourth scored Ben Gamel, who led off the inning with a single to right.
Cubs catcher Willson Contreras hit his third home run of the season, a two-run opposite field shot to right center off Zach Davies in the sixth.
The Cubs bullpen, which had a 9.51 ERA in its first eight games, received four scoreless innings from Tyler Chatwood and newcomers Kyle Ryan and Allen Webster.
This marked the final game of a nine-game trip for the Cubs, who have traveled more than 2,220 miles since leaving Arizona on March 26.
The Cubs' home opener is Monday against the Pirates.
