MILWAUKEE — Chicago Cubs pitcher Aaron Civale had the mindset of “get as many outs as you can” when he entered in the second inning of Game 1 of the National League Division Series.
“The bullpen was huge in that wild-card series, a lot of guys pitching multiple games,” Civale said. “So at that point it’s try to get as many outs as you can and try to calm the game down and try to build on some things.”
The right-hander helped some of his fellow relievers get a much-needed breather, eating up a chunk of the innings in the 9-3 loss to the Milwaukee Brewers at American Family Field.
Civale allowed three hits and struck out three in 4 1/3 scoreless innings against one of his former teams.
“Just trying to stay calm out there and attack,” Civale said. “Let (catcher Carson Kelly) lead the way. Focus on executing pitches that he’s putting down and if I see things, shake into certain things. At the end of the day, it’s just try to slow everything down and go out there and execute pitches.”
Manager Craig Counsell said Civale and Ben Brown — who struck out three, allowed one hit and walked two in two scoreless innings — were “super important.”
“Our relievers are completely reset,” Counsell said. “We can work with Monday’s game however we want to.
“Both guys, when you’re going to your third pitcher in the second inning, that could be really problematic, even with the off days. Aaron’s outing, Ben’s outing, especially Aaron’s outing, really, really saved us.”
Civale entered with the Cubs already down 8-1. After Jackson Chourio reached on a run-scoring infield hit, Civale struck out Brice Turang. The Brewers had just two more baserunners while Civale was on the mound.
His outing represents the longest scoreless relief appearance in Cubs postseason history.
“Just covering innings, whoever it is, trying to do what you can to save some outs and make sure those guys (in the bullpen) get the rest they need,” Civale said. “There’s going to be some close and intense games moving forward, so it’s awesome to be able to do that.”
Civale spent portions of 2024 and this season with the Brewers. He was traded to the Chicago White Sox for first baseman Andrew Vaughn on June 13 and claimed off waivers by the Cubs on Aug. 31.
“Didn’t think about it too much,” Civale said of facing former teammates. “When you’re out there, it’s just righties and lefties and there’s a lot of prep that goes into what the catchers are working on before the games.
“Just trying to trust the decisions they’re making and focus on executing. It’s a comfortability with the stadium, the mound and the crowd, but other than that it’s just going out there and competing.”
Civale was ready to aid in any way possible.
“Once you’re in the playoffs it’s all hands on deck,” he said. “You get to that point and whenever your name is called, whatever role that is, you’ve just got to go roll with it.”
Long ball not enough for Cubs
Michael Busch saw four fastballs from Brewers starter Freddy Peralta to begin Saturday’s game. He connected on the fourth for a leadoff home run.
Brewers manager Pat Murphy called Busch “a great hitter” and was proud of the way Peralta bounced back.
“One run doesn’t beat you,” Murphy said. “I think for Freddy, it was a slap in the face, and then he responded the way you do.”
Ian Happ homered in the sixth against Peralta. Nico Hoerner homered in the eighth against Jared Koenig.
It’s the third time in franchise history the Cubs lost a postseason game when recording at least three home runs. They hit three homers in Games 1 and 7 of the 2003 NL Championship Series against the Marlins.
Peralta piled up punch-outs
Peralta settled in after the Busch home run and matched a franchise postseason record with nine strikeouts while allowing two runs on four hits over 5 2/3 innings.
“A guy like Freddy, you just can’t let him get ahead in counts and be 0-2 all the time,” Happ said.
Peralta said the large lead gave him confidence to put pitches in the zone.
“He’s a good pitcher,” Hoerner said. “We faced him a lot over the years. He was good today.”