Cubs lose big to Brewers

CHICAGO – After six consecutive wins at Wrigley Field, the Cubs fizzled on the Fourth of July.

Cubs starter Rich Harden allowed five runs in the first inning Saturday as the Brewers cruised to a 11-2 win, marking the Cubs most lopsided defeat at home this season. The Cubs (39-39) returned to .500 for the 17th time this season and fell to fourth place in the NL Central, 2 ½ games behind first-place St. Louis.

“It was just one of those games today,” Cubs second baseman Mike Fontenot said.

Harden (5-5) allowed seven earned runs in two-plus innings for his worst start of the season, while the Cubs wasted bases-loaded opportunities in each of the first two innings. Former Cubs farmhand Casey McGehee set career highs with four hits and five RBIs against his old team.

Milton Bradley, who had not homered since May 25, hit a two-run home run against Brewers starter Braden Looper (7-4) for the Cubs only offense. Cubs relievers David Patton, Jeff Samardzija and Kevin Hart combined to pitch the final seven innings with the game out of reach.

Turning point

Before Cubs fans could settle into their seats, the Brewers pounded Harden for five runs in the first.

Harden allowed two hits and a walk to load the bases for McGehee, who shot a two-run single up the middle. The next batter, Mike Cameron, belted a three-run home run into the left field bleachers to make it 5-0 with 26 outs to go for the Cubs.

“The off-speed [pitches] were up in the zone and they were just sitting on fastballs,” Harden said. “Batting practice. … It was just ugly. It’s embarrassing. Consistency is the key in this game, and I’ll have another opportunity in five or six days.”

Lou’s take

Piniella searched for positives in the blowout defeat.

“We got to use the back end of our bullpen, and we rested the front end,” Piniella said. “That really, to me, was one positive of the game. And the second one is Milton. Milton’s starting to swing the bat better, and we’re happy to see that.”

Piniella had no plans to dwell on Harden’s poor performance or Alfonso Soriano’s prolonged slump.

“It’s amazing about a baseball team and managing a baseball team,” Piniella said. “If you want to worry, there’s always something to worry about. Let me go home and enjoy the fireworks over at the lake tonight and then [today] hopefully we can create some fireworks here as a team.”

Big stat

2: Games since June 1 that the Cubs have lost by more than three runs.

Before Saturday, the Cubs’ only lopsided defeat in the past month was a 6-0 loss to the White Sox at U.S. Cellular Field. Since June 1, 24 of 29 Cubs games have been decided by three runs or less.

Meanwhile, 40 of the Cubs’ first 78 games have been decided by two runs or less. The Cubs also are tied for the major-league lead with 11 extra-innings games.

On deck

Cubs left-hander Ted Lilly (7-6) will try to give his team a series win against the Brewers when he pitches today. Lilly is 4-1 with a 1.85 ERA in seven starts this season at Wrigley, where he has walked only five batters and struck out 44 in 48 2/3 innings.

Right-hander Mike Burns (1-1) will make his third career start for the Brewers. He earned his first major league win Tuesday against the Mets.