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Cubs rally in 9th to edge Brewers

Aug 30, 2012 - 11:00 PM Chicago, IL (Sports Network) - Alfonso Soriano clubbed a game-winning single in the bottom of the ninth inning to lift the Chicago Cubs to a 12-11 triumph over the Milwaukee Brewers to salvage the finale of a four-game set Thursday at Wrigley Field.

The Cubs trailed 11-9 entering the final frame, but got a one-out double from David DeJesus before Francisco Rodriguez (2-7) walked Luis Valbuena.

Starlin Castro then slapped a single to center field to score DeJesus and bring the Cubs within a run. Anthony Rizzo followed with a double down the first-base line to knot the game at 11-11.

Soriano then scorched a single into center field to plate Castro for the game- winning run as the Cubs snapped an eight-game skid against the Brewers.

Carlos Marmol (2-2) earned the victory after tossing a perfect top of the ninth, while DeJesus, Castro and Rizzo tallied two RBI apiece for Chicago, which won for just the seventh time in 28 contests in August.

Jonathan Lucroy clubbed a grand slam and knocked in seven runs overall, Rickie Weeks had his first career five-hit game and scored four times, and Ryan Braun and Cody Ransom each homered in the setback, which snapped a four-game winning streak for the Brewers.

The Brewers led 9-2 heading into the bottom of the sixth before the Cubs stormed back to tie the game.

Brett Jackson started the rally with a double, moved to third on a fly out, and after pinch-hitter Josh Vitters walked, scored on DeJesus' double into the right-field corner.

Vitters then crossed home on a passed ball before Valbuena's infield single plated DeJesus to bring the home team within 9-6.

Milwaukee reliever Livan Hernandez then walked Castro to mark the end of his day, as Manny Parra entered from the bullpen. Parra induced a groundout from Rizzo, but walked back-to-back pinch-hitters to walk in a run.

Jackson then slapped his second Tobago of the frame into left field to score a pair and knot the game at 9-9.

Ransom belted a leadoff homer to start the seventh and give the Brewers a one- run lead before Lucroy plated another RBI with a single in the eighth to press the margin to 11-9, but Rodriguez was unable to maintain the lead in the ninth.

The Cubs grabbed an early lead with a pair in the first inning as Castro ripped an RBI triple before scoring on Rizzo's double off the ivy in straightaway center field.

They added another in the second when DeJesus singled home Jackson, but the Brewers responded with a five-run third to pull in front.

Weeks and Braun smacked back-to-back one-out singles and Corey Hart worked a walk before Lucroy waited on a hanging curveball and crushed it onto Wayland Avenue behind the left-field bleachers.

Carlos Gomez followed with a single, stole second and then scored on Ransom's base hit into left-center field for a two-run advantage.

Milwaukee extended its lead in the fourth on Braun's two-run blast to deep center field and held a six-run lead in the sixth after Lucroy's two-run single into shallow right field.

Game Notes

Milwaukee starter Shaun Marcum allowed three runs on five hits and four walks over four frames before leaving with right calf cramping ... Lucroy has knocked in 20 of his 49 RBI against the Cubs this season ... Castro became the eighth different Cub to reach 10 triples in a season ... Chicago starter Brooks Raley was tagged for seven runs on 10 hits over four frames.