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Five-run fourth helps Cubs top Brewers

Apr 9, 2011 - 4:10 AM Milwaukee, WI (Sports Network) - Geovany Soto's two-run homer started a five- run fourth inning as the Chicago Cubs topped the Milwaukee Brewers, 7-4, in the first of a three-game set at Miller Park.

Jeff Baker added a three-run shot to cap the frame, while starter Carlos Zambrano (1-0) went six innings, allowing four runs on seven hits while striking out five.

"It was a battle for me," Zambrano said. "They have a tough lineup, I am just glad I made it through six, but the most important thing is winning and hopefully we can get another win tomorrow and win the series."

Baker added an RBI single in the sixth to cap his 4-for-5, four-RBI effort. Marlon Byrd roped an RBI double in the ninth to highlight his 2-for-5 showing for the Cubs, who have now won three of four.

"It's just about getting good pitches to hit and not trying to do too much," Baker said. "I just try to play hard whenever my name is called. This was a big game for us to start the road trip."

Prince Fielder finished with a solo homer in the second, and George Kottaras knocked in two. Brewers starter Randy Wolf (0-2) continues to struggle, charged on Friday with six runs -- two earned -- on nine hits in six innings of work.

"He just got too much of the plate," Brewers manager Ron Roenicke said of Wolf. "He threw some good changeups and breaking balls that were good."

Fielder led off the second inning with his first homer of the season, sending the ball over the left-center field wall. The shot was Fielder's 100th at Miller Park.

Casey McGehee then worked a walk, and after he moved to second on an Yuniesky Betancourt single, advanced to third on Nyjer Morgan's sacrifice bunt. The Brewers then took a 2-0 lead when Kottaras grounded out to second.

Soto evened the game with a two-run homer to center in the top of the fourth and Baker put the Cubs ahead 5-2 with his three-run shot just five batters later.

Betancourt and Morgan both hit one-out singles in the bottom of the fourth to put batters on first and third and Kottaras scored Betancourt on a sacrifice fly to left.

McGehee added an RBI single in the fifth to make it a 5-4 game, but Baker's RBI single in the top of the sixth put the Cubs up 6-4.

Byrd made it 7-4 in the ninth and Carlos Marmol closed the door in the bottom of the inning to record his third save of the season.

Game Notes

Wolf was tagged for 10 hits and six runs over just four innings in his first start of 2011, a 12-3 loss in Cincinnati on Sunday...Chicago was 9-6 against the Brewers last season.