Seventh consecutive defeat in the series opener for the Cubs: Loss to the Brewers

MILWAUKEE (AP) – Jackson Chourio hit his first career grand slam in the fourth inning, Colin Rea allowed two runs on three hits in 5 1/3 innings and the Milwaukee Brewers beat the Chicago Cubs 4-2 on Friday night.

The Brewers, who lead the NL Central and just won three games against the defending champion Texas Rangers, are now 11 1/2 games ahead of the Cubs.

Rea (7-2) won for the third time in his last four starts. He had two walks and a season-high eight strikeouts. Trevor Megill made his 17th save in 18 chances.

The Brewers got to Jameson Taillon (4-4) in the fourth inning when they loaded the bases on a walk, catcher interference and a single by Rhys Hoskins off Taillon’s glove. Chourio hit a 1-2 sweeper that barely made it over the wall in left.

It was the second straight game in which the Brewers hit a home run with the bases loaded. On Wednesday, Jake Bauers hit his second career grand slam.

Elvis Peguero relieved Rea and managed a double play to end the sixth inning, but then found himself in a tight spot with two outs in the seventh inning with the bases loaded. Jared Koenig came in and put pinch hitter Patrick Wisdom out of action with a fly to center on the first pitch.

Taillon allowed four runs on four hits in six innings – three of them earned. He had one walk and five strikeouts.

Seiya Suzuki hit a 1-0 cutter over the wall in left in the fourth inning for his 10th home run of the season and 44th of his career, tying him with Tadihito Iguchi for fifth on the career home run list for Japanese-born players.

Dansby Swanson increased the lead to 2-0 with a base hit that earned him points.

The partisan crowd booed when the image of former Brewers manager Craig Counsell flashed on the scoreboard during the pregame introductions, the same mournful serenade that was served up in late May when the Cubs played at American Family Field for the first time this season.

Trainer room:

Cubs: Rea hit Christopher Morel on the left hand in the fourth inning. He bounced off the plate visibly in pain, but jogged to first base after being treated by the Cubs trainer. … RHP Keegan Thompson (fractured right rib) was placed on the 15-day injured list, retroactive to June 27.

Brewers: 3B Joey Ortiz was out of the lineup due to persistent neck stiffness. His condition will be assessed on a day-to-day basis after he was eliminated in the sixth inning on Wednesday.

Squad changes

Cubs: RHP Ethan Roberts was recalled from Triple-A Iowa. RHP Vinny Nittoli was designated for assignment. The contract of RHP Jorge López was selected by Iowa.

Brewers: RHP Joel Kuhnel was sent outright to Triple-A Nashville.

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LHP Justin Steele (0-3, 3.38 ERA) was scheduled to face RHP Tobias Meyers (5-2, 3.12) for the Cubs on Saturday.