Anthony Rizzo Homers to Help Cubs Rout Christian Yelich, Brewers

Paul Beaty/Associated Press

David Ross picked up his first series win as manager of the Chicago Cubs on Sunday with a 9-1 victory over the Milwaukee Brewers at Wrigley Field. 

The former MLB catcher didn't even have to sweat this one out as starter Tyler Chatwood twirled a no-hitter through 4.2 innings while the bottom of the batting order provided five runs through four frames. Right-hander Freddy Peralta was saddled with the loss for Milwaukee as the Brewers fell to 1-2 on the year. 

Chicago Cubs @Cubs

.@ihapp_1's 2nd homer of the series! https://t.co/2TsXCTN3nk

It's a necessary win for the Cubs (2-1) at home against one of the biggest challengers to win the National League Central in a short season. 

Notable Performers:

Tyler Chatwood, RHP, Chicago Cubs: 6.0 IP, 3 H, 1 ER, 8 K, 2 BB

Willson Contreras, C, Chicago Cubs: 4 AB, 2 R, 2 H, 2 RBI, 1 HR

Ian Happ, CF, Chicago Cubs: 4 AB, 1 R, 2 H, 3 RBI, 1 HR

Freddy Peralta, RHP, Milwaukee Brewers: 3.0 IP, 3 H, 4 ER, 3 K, 2 BB

Chicago Cubs @Cubs

How soon did you know?

@BinnysBev https://t.co/ffdWW5bhPl

Chatwood on Cruise Control 

The Cubs starting rotation has produced two gems, and their highest-paid pitcher has yet to take the mound. 

That'll give fans in Wrigleyville plenty to smile about. 

Chatwood's first outing of the year was everything the club could've hoped for. He tossed 84 pitches in six innings with eight strikeouts to two walks and had few, if any, issues. 

Chicago Cubs @Cubs

That good. https://t.co/Sbk6zIT5Xh

According to Baseball Savant, Chatwood induced swinging strikes on 11 of his offerings while getting 15 strikes looking. That his breaking ball offerings consistently fooled a dangerous Brewers lineup has to give him some extra confidence. Chatwood got six called strikes on his sinker and four on his cutter. His fastball produced the fewest strikes with three total. 

Overall, the Brewers only put 13 balls in play against the 30-year-old righty with just three falling for hits. 

Chicago Cubs @Cubs

Many 𝑠𝑎𝑦 they'd run into a brick wall for their team.

Few actually do it. https://t.co/MtBB6nbZke

After signing for three years and $38 million before the 2018 season, the veteran struggled to stick in the rotation, ultimately getting relegated to the bullpen after the team traded for Cole Hamels and remaining there for all but five starts in 2019. 

Sunday provided the type of start that can help turn around Chatwood's career with the Cubs and solidify a rotation that's been a bit wobbly as Yu Darvish has struggled to find his rhythm since joining the team in 2018.

Mark Gonzales @MDGonzales

Ross on Chatwood: “has changed the narrative around here for all of us.”

Bryant, Yelich, Baez Start Quiet 

Anthony Rizzo‘s bat continued to heat up with a solo home run in the eighth inning Sunday. 

Chicago Cubs @Cubs

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Tony’s turn!

#TeamRizzo https://t.co/0iwwOsLdHY

The same can't be said for a number of other All-Stars who took the field at Wrigley.

Kris Bryant, Christian Yelich and Javier Baez are now a combined 4-for-39 to begin the year with Yelich the only of the three to hit a home run. It wasn't until Bryant's 13th at-bat of the season that he broke through with a hit, and even then it was just a bloop single. 

Maybe that could have gotten him going, but he followed it up with his third strikeout of the day in the eighth inning. Ross slotted Bryant in the leadoff spot to get him extra looks at the plate over the first few games. The experiment may be short-lived.

The top of the Cubs order went 2-for-13 on Sunday, with Rizzo's home run the only bright spot. 

In any other year, it'd be way too early to panic. With 57 games left, it's worth revisiting right away. Bryant's slow start may provide Ross with one of his first conundrums as manager, and if the 2016 MVP continues to struggle, there won't be any easy answers. 

Milwaukee Brewers @Brewers

.@e_lauer10 was impressive in his Brewers debut, striking out 6 of the 10 batters he faced. #ThisIsMyCrew https://t.co/LQvQlSLHKR

What's Next

The Cubs travel to Great American Ball Park to face a Cincinnati Reds (1-2) team that stumbled in its opening series against the Detroit Tigers. Jon Lester gets the start for Chicago against Wade Miley in his Reds debut. First pitch is slated for 6:40 p.m. ET. 

Milwaukee, meanwhile, will be on the road against the Pittsburgh Pirates (1-2) with Adrian Houser facing off against Steven Brault at 7:05 p.m. ET.