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Bynum, Blanco help Cubs rally past Brewers

Sep 28, 2006 - 3:31 AM CHICAGO (Ticker) -- Dave Bush did his job very well. Francisco Cordero didn't.

Rookie Freddie Bynum hit the game-tying homer and Henry Blanco drove in the game-winning run off Cordero in the bottom of the ninth inning as the Chicago Cubs rallied for a 3-2 victory over the Milwaukee Brewers.

Bush yielded just one run and three hits in eight frames. The righthander surrendered his lone run in the seventh when Matt Murton had an RBI groundout.

"I was able to keep the ball down and make my pitches," Bush said. "That is the way I'd like to go out and pitch every night."

Bynum led off the ninth against Cordero (3-1) with a pinch-hit home run, his fourth of the season, to tie the game at 2-2. It was the first blown save for Cordero since being traded to Milwaukee.

"When I was walking up to the on-deck circle, the coaches told me that (Cordero) would be very aggressive," Bynum said. "He likes to get ahead with the fastball, then get to his slider. I just tried to see the first pitch he threw me and make good contact on it."

After Juan Pierre singled and raced to second on a sacrifice, Jacque Jones was intentionally walked and Murton singled to load the bases. Cordero struck out John Mabry, but Blanco roped an RBI base hit up the middle to complete the comeback.

"It feels good to get the game-winning run," Blanco said. "I think the main thing is that we won the game and to try and finish the season strong."

"Even though we have had a tough season I am excited about the fact that we haven't quit," Cubs manager Dusty Baker said. "It wasn't pretty, we won it the hard way."

Bob Howry (4-5) pitched a scoreless ninth to pick up the win.

Cubs rookie starter Rich Hill was stellar, allowing two runs and six hits with seven strikeouts in seven innings. He remained winless in two career starts against the Brewers.

"I've had some good outings since I came back from the minors," Hill said. "I think (Wednesday's) game is something I can build on going into next season."

Brady Clark hit his fourth homer in the sixth and rookie Vinny Rottino delivered a run-scoring double one inning later for the Brewers, who fell to 8-8 vs. Chicago this season.