Justin Steele struck out eight in six effective innings, shaking off a comebacker that hit him, and the Cubs stopped Milwaukee's nine-game winning streak with a 1-0 victory over Corbin Burnes and the Brewers on Tuesday night.
Steele (15-3) allowed six hits and walked one, throwing 80 of his career-high 111 pitches for strikes. The All-Star left-hander improved to 6-0 with a 3.09 ERA in his last eight starts.
Bouncing back from a 6-2 loss in the series opener, Chicago (70-62) pulled within four games of NL Central-leading Milwaukee (74-58). The Cubs also are in the mix for an NL wild card.
Steele was struck just above his left knee by Victor Caratini's one-out liner in the second. After a visit from Ross and a trainer, along with a few warmup throws, he stayed in - drawing a big cheer from the Wrigley Field crowd of 33,294.
Burnes (9-7) also was terrific, striking out seven in seven innings in windy conditions. But the three-time All-Star remains winless in seven starts since he pitched eight sparkling innings in a 4-0 victory at Philadelphia on July 20.
Right-handers Brandon Woodruff (3-1, 2.65 ERA) ad Kyle Hendricks (5-7, 3.80 ERA) take the mound Wednesday for the series finale. Woodruff pitched Milwaukee to a 7-3 victory over San Diego on Friday, striking out 11 in six sharp innings. Hendricks is 1-1 with a 3.13 ERA in his last four starts for Chicago.
