The Milwaukee Brewers fell to the Chicago Cubs by a score of 5-3 on Tuesday night, June 17, 2025, in a game where a timely hit eluded them. The loss extends the Cubs' lead in the NL Central to 6 1/2 games over the Brewers.
Isaac Collins provided some early offense for Milwaukee, hitting a two-run home run in the top of the second inning off Cubs starter Ben Brown. Matt Shaw added an RBI double in the bottom of the second, cutting into the Brewers' lead. The Brewers held a 2-1 advantage until the fifth inning when the Cubs rallied against Brewers' pitcher Chad Patrick.
Ian Happ walked with one out, and Kyle Tucker doubled, setting the stage for Seiya Suzuki. Suzuki then launched a three-run home run into the left-center field bleachers, giving the Cubs a 4-2 lead. It was Suzuki's 18th home run of the season. The Brewers managed to close the gap to 4-3 in the sixth when Joey Ortiz singled, driving in a run.
However, the Cubs responded in the bottom of the eighth when Pete Crow-Armstrong blasted a solo home run off Brewers reliever Robert Zastryzny. The home run, estimated at 452 feet, was the longest hit by a Cub this season.
Brewers had opportunities to score, but they struggled to come up with the big hit when they needed it most. In the seventh inning, they had a runner on third with two outs, but Rhys Hoskins struck out swinging, ending the threat. Overall, the Brewers left multiple runners in scoring position, failing to capitalize on their chances.
Ben Brown (4-5) earned the win for the Cubs, pitching five innings and allowing two runs on six hits. He struck out five and walked two. Daniel Palencia pitched a scoreless ninth inning for his seventh save. Chad Patrick (3-7) took the loss for the Brewers.
The Cubs improved to 4-1 on their current 10-game homestand. The two teams will continue their series Wednesday night, with Jacob Misiorowski making his second major league start for the Brewers against Jameson Taillon for the Cubs.