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Closers try to bounce back as Cubs host Brewers

Apr 2, 2008 - 12:40 PM Milwaukee (1-0) at Chicago Cubs (0-1) 2:20 pm EDT

CHICAGO (Ticker) - The Milwaukee Brewers and Chicago Cubs both introduced new closers to the bullpen before the start of the 2008 season. After their performances on Opening Day, both teams might be second-guessing their decisions.

The Brewers and Cubs hope for better efforts from their respective closers when they continue a three-game series on Wednesday.

Milwaukee escaped with a 4-3 victory in 10 innings on Monday, no thanks to reliever Eric Gagne.

The 32-year-old righthander, who signed with the Brewers as a free agent this offseason, entered the game with a 3-0 lead in the bottom of the ninth inning before serving up a three-run homer to Kosuke Fukudome, which sent the game to extra innings.

The game was scoreless at the beginning of the ninth before Cubs closer Kerry Wood surrendered an RBI single to Ryan Braun and a two-run double to Corey Hart.

The Brewers eventually secured the win on the strength of a sacrifice fly by Tony Gwynn Jr. in the 10th inning.

Righthander Jeff Suppan, who led Milwaukee with a 4.62 ERA last season, looks to give the Brewers their second consecutive win when he takes the mound on Wednesday. He will be opposed by Cubs lefthander Ted Lilly, who also is making his season debut.