CHICAGO (AP) — William Contreras hit an RBI single during Milwaukee’s three-run eighth inning, and the Brewers won their first game against former manager Craig Counsell, beating the Chicago Cubs 3-1 on Friday.
The Brewers opened a weekend series between the NL Central’s top teams on a winning note, even though Chicago’s Hayden Wesneski pitched scoreless ball into the seventh and Christopher Morel homered for the third time in five games. Most of the attention was on Counsell going against his former team, though he pretty much shrugged it off.
“Look, we’re just just trying to win a baseball game,” he said. “This is a good team. I think you spend most of your time trying to figure out how to beat the team. There are people there that I have really good relationships with. Look, you miss people for sure. I miss people over there? Absolutely, yeah, because you have strong relationships with people.”
Counsell, a former infielder, also played two stints for the Brewers during a 16-year career. He grew up near Milwaukee in Whitefish Bay, Wisconsin, and his father, John Counsell, is the team’s former director of community affairs.
Counsell became one of baseball’s hottest free agents when his contract expired after last season. The Cubs then opted for two big surprises when they hired him and fired David Ross.
“He continues to be a tremendous person, but once you’re on the field, you’re worried about one thing only and that’s just about winning the game,” Contreras said through an interpreter.
Jackson Chourio started Milwaukee’s comeback with a pinch-hit single with one out in the eighth against Adbert Alzolay (1-4). The rookie swiped second and scored on Contreras’ base hit.
