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Estrada, Bianchi push Brewers past Cubs

Apr 27, 2014 - 5:49 AM Milwaukee, WI (SportsNetwork.com) - Jeff Bianchi entered Saturday's game for the Brewers because of an accident in the dugout. He made the most of his opportunity.

Bianchi had two hits, including a two-run single, and Marco Estrada pitched into the eighth inning to help Milwaukee beat the Chicago Cubs, 5-3, at Miller Park.

Bianchi came on as a pinch-hitter in the first inning in place of Jean Segura, who had to be helped to the clubhouse when he was accidentally hit in the head by the bat of Ryan Braun.

Braun was on the top step of the dugout. It appeared as if Braun was trying to stretch when he swung his back backward and didn't see Segura walking behind him. The bat struck Segura on the side of the face and he was then helped up the tunnel to the clubhouse.

Brewers manager Ron Roenicke confirmed there was no concussion and no fractures for Segura. Braun departed the contest with a right intercostal strain.

"You never want to see something like that," Braun said of Segura's injury. "It breaks your heart a little bit. It's never something that's done intentionally. Whenever you're involved in a situation like that I think it puts life in perspective and you realize how insignificant baseball is. Thank God, from everything we've heard, he's okay."

Khris Davis homered for the Brewers, who have won three in a row and seven of their last eight contests. Estrada (2-1) gave up four hits and three runs and had nine strikeouts over 7 2/3 innings. Francisco Rodriguez retired the side in order in the ninth for his 11th save.

Luis Valbuena and Welington Castillo homered for the Cubs, who lost their fourth straight game. They are not only in danger of being swept in this three-game set Sunday, but have assured themselves of not winning a series yet this season. Chicago's last series victory came Sept. 9-11 of last season when the Cubs took two-of-three from the Reds. They are winless in their last 13 series.

Travis Wood (1-3) surrendered seven hits and five runs over 5 2/3 innings.

"The ball was up a little bit today," Wood admitted. "I struggled getting it down."

Carlos Gomez scored on a Aramis Ramirez sacrifice fly to center in the first inning, and Brewers expanded their lead in the second. With the bases full, Bianchi blooped a hit into right field to plate Davis and Rickie Weeks.

Valbuena homered to right in the fourth, but the Brewers got the run back in the home half. The bases were loaded when Gomez grounded into a fielder's choice to plate a run.

Valbuena, though, made a spectacular defensive play to prevent another run from scoring in the fourth. Bianchi sent a pop-up into foul territory down the first-base line. Valbuena made catch near the stands and then made a great throw to home, where Castillo made a sweep tag to nail Weeks for the final out.

Davis homered leading off the sixth and Castillo went deep to right with Mike Olt aboard in the eighth.

Game Notes

Cubs shortstop Starlin Castro, who singled in the seventh inning, has reached safely in each of his last 12 games at Miller Park dating to Aug. 22, 2012 ... Estrada moved to 5-0 lifetime against the Cubs ... Chicago had four hits.