Posted on Tue, Sep. 22, 2009

Derrek Lee went 3-for-4 with a solo homer, two runs scored, and two runs batted in, as the Chicago Cubs scored all their runs over the first four innings in a 7-2 win over the Milwaukee Brewers in the middle installment of a three-game series at Miller Park.

Aramis Ramirez knocked in a pair of runs for the Cubs, who have won three in a row after a four-game skid. Kosuke Fukudome went 2-for-5 with a pair of runs scored and an RBI.

Randy Wells (11-9) was solid in six innings of work for Chicago, giving up just one run on seven hits with five strikeouts to take the win. Wells was 0-2 in his previous three starts coming into Tuesday.

"He throws strikes. He's got three or four different pitches over the plate. He's done a really nice job," Cubs manager Lou Piniella said of Wells.

Prince Fielder hit a solo home run for the Brewers, who have dropped two straight games after a five-game winning streak. Jody Gerut and Alcides Escobar each had two hits in defeat.

"Coming into the series I was feeling good. Getting down like we did again is tough. If you don't get good starting pitching, that's what happens," Brewers manager Ken Macha said.

Dave Bush (5-8) lasted just 1 1/3 frames in the start for Milwaukee, allowing six runs -- five earned -- on four hits with four walks and two strikeouts to take the loss. Bush had a two-start winning streak snapped.

"I felt fine. I just couldn't get things together. It's a step in the wrong direction. Its been a disappointing season for me," Bush said.

The Cubs plated a total of seven runs over the first four innings to take control of the game.

In the first, Ryan Theriot walked and Fukudome singled before Lee laced an RBI double to left. Ramirez followed with a two-run base hit up the middle.

Chicago added three more runs in the top of the second to build a six-run lead. Fukudome stroked an RBI double to left after Tyler Colvin and Theriot walked. Theriot then scored on a wild pitch from Bush, who was removed from the contest after issuing a walk to Chris Smith.

The Brewers cut the gap to five when Fielder led off the bottom half with a towering homer to center.

Lee's solo shot to right in the top of the fourth put the Cubs ahead 7-1. Milwaukee failed to score after putting men on first and second with two outs in the home half.

Sean Marshall and Esmailin Caridad tossed a scoreless seventh and eighth, respectively. John Grabow secured the win despite giving up a sacrifice fly to Ryan Braun in the bottom of the ninth.

Game Notes