Baseball has a cruel way of breaking your heart. Just ask the Chicago Cubs.
They were three outs away—three outs from stealing a critical divisional game on the road. Then, in the blink of an eye, it all vanished.
The September 8, 2026, matchup between the Chicago Cubs and Milwaukee Brewers was a classic. It had tension, drama, and a walk-off that will sting Cubs fans for a while. The final score read Milwaukee Brewers 4, Chicago Cubs 3 in 10 innings.
Here’s the quick answer: The Cubs led 3-1 into the bottom of the ninth. A Christian Yelich pinch-hit single and a massive two-run homer from Jackson Chourio tied it. In the 10th, Luis Lara singled home the winning run.
Let’s break down how this one got away.
Key Takeaway:
- The Brewers scored two runs in the 9th to tie it.
- Jackson Chourio went 4-for-5 with a game-tying homer.
- Milwaukee extended its NL Central lead to nine games.
How Did the Cubs Take the Lead?
The game started with promise for Chicago.
Jacob Misiorowski started for Milwaukee. He’s been a monster this year. He lowered his MLB-leading ERA to 1.95 on this night, striking out nine over 6 1/3 innings. But the Cubs got to him early.
In the first inning, Seiya Suzuki doubled. Michael Busch then delivered a two-out single to right, bringing Suzuki home for the first run.
Milwaukee answered right back. Chourio hit a leadoff double and scored on a Brice Turang single. We were tied 1-1 after one. That score held for a long time.
The game turned into a pitcher’s duel. Misiorowski was electric, reaching a peak velocity of 104.5 mph. You don’t see that every day. The Cubs’ bullpen matched him for a while.
Key Takeaway:
- Both starters were effective early.
- The game was tied 1-1 through eight innings.
- Misiorowski dominated the Cubs’ lineup after the first inning.
| Stat Category | Chicago Cubs 3 | Milwaukee Brewers 4 |
|---|---|---|
| Runs | 3 | 4 |
| Hits | 7 | 12 |
| Errors | 0 | 0 |
| Left on Base | 6 | 9 |
| Doubles | 2 (Suzuki, Kelly) | 2 (Chourio, Mitchell) |
| Triples | 0 | 0 |
| Home Runs | 0 | 1 (Chourio) |
| RBIs | 3 (Kelly 2, Busch) | 4 (Chourio 2, Turang, Lara) |
| Stolen Bases | 0 | 1 (Turang) |
| Walks | 4 | 3 |
| Strikeouts | 12 | 6 |
| Innings Pitched | 8.1 | 10.0 |
| Hits Allowed | 12 | 7 |
| Earned Runs | 4 | 3 |
| Wild Pitches | 0 | 0 |
| Decision | Loss: Caleb Thielbar (3‑3) | Win: DL Hall (3‑0) |
| Save / Hold | — | — |
The Ninth Inning: A Complete Swing of Emotion
This is where things got wild.
The top of the 9th inning looked like a knockout punch from the Cubs. Facing Brewers closer Trevor Megill, Chicago loaded the bases.
Then, pinch-hitter Carson Kelly stepped up and crushed a bases-loaded double, scoring two runs. Just like that, the Cubs led 3-1. The win probability for Chicago skyrocketed to 95.3%.
It felt over. The Cubs were going to steal this one.
But Milwaukee doesn’t quit.
In the bottom of the 9th, the Cubs were one out away. With two outs and nobody on base, pinch-hitter Christian Yelich singled. A harmless hit, right? Wrong.
Then, Jackson Chourio stepped up. He took a 0-1 pitch from Jacob Webb and sent it 394 feet over the left-field wall. A two-run homer. His career-high 22nd of the season.
Game tied, 3-3. American Family Field erupted. The Brewers’ dugout went crazy.
Key Takeaway:
- Carson Kelly’s pinch-hit double gave Chicago a 3-1 lead in the top of the 9th.
- Jackson Chourio hit a game-tying two-run homer with two outs in the bottom of the 9th.
- This was Chourio’s 4th hit of the night.
The 10th Inning: Walk-Off Winner
Extra innings are stressful. For Cubs fans, this one was a nightmare.
In the top of the 10th, the Cubs had a chance. Seiya Suzuki started on second base. Alex Bregman hit a fly ball to deep center. Suzuki tried to tag and go to third, but Brewers center fielder Garrett Mitchell made a perfect throw. Suzuki was out.
A killer mistake.
The Brewers took advantage. Caleb Thielbar was on the mound. Brice Turang was the automatic runner. After an intentional walk, Sal Frelick hit a bloop single to load the bases.
That brought up Luis Lara. The rookie. He lined a single into left field. Turang scored easily.
Game over. Brewers win 4-3.
Key Takeaway:
- Seiya Suzuki was thrown out at third base in the top of the 10th.
- Luis Lara’s bases-loaded single drove in the winning run.
- It was the Brewers’ 90th win of the season.
Key Player Performances
Chicago Cubs
- Michael Busch: 1-for-3, 1 RBI, 2 walks.
- Carson Kelly: 1-for-1, 2 RBIs (pinch-hit double).
- Seiya Suzuki: 1-for-5, 1 R.
- Nico Hoerner: 2-for-5, 1 R.
- Jacob Webb: Took the loss after allowing the game-tying homer.
Milwaukee Brewers
- Jackson Chourio: 4-for-5, 1 HR, 2 RBIs, 2 R. The MVP of this game.
- Brice Turang: 3-for-4, 1 RBI, 1 BB, scored the winning run.
- Luis Lara: 1-for-… with a game-winning RBI single.
- Jacob Misiorowski: 6.1 IP, 4 H, 1 ER, 9 SO. Absolutely dominant.
- DL Hall: Got the win, pitching the final two outs.
Key Stats and Box Score
Here’s how the numbers looked for this September 8 game:
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | R | H | E |
| Chicago Cubs | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 7 | 0 |
| Milwaukee Brewers | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 4 | 12 | 0 |
Pitching Decision:
- Win: DL Hall (3-0).
- Loss: Caleb Thielbar (3-3).
What This Win Means for the Brewers
This wasn’t just another win for Milwaukee. It was a statement.
The Brewers improved to 90-56 on the season, extending their NL Central lead to nine games over the Cubs (81-65). They’re the first team in baseball to reach 90 wins.
This was also their second straight comeback victory over Chicago. The night before, the Brewers won 4-3 on a two-run single by Chourio in the eighth inning.
This team has grit. They don’t give up. When the chips are down, they fight. It’s that simple. This is the kind of win that defines a season.
Key Takeaway:
- The Brewers’ magic number to clinch the division is shrinking.
- They are now 9 games ahead of Chicago in the standings.
- This was their second consecutive comeback win against the Cubs.
Question: What was the final score of the Cubs vs Brewers game on September 8, 2026?
Answer: The Milwaukee Brewers defeated the Chicago Cubs by a final score of 4-3 in 10 innings. Luis Lara hit a walk-off single to win it.
Question: Who hit the game-tying home run for the Brewers?
Answer: Jackson Chourio hit a two-out, two-run home run in the bottom of the ninth inning to tie the game at 3-3. It was his career-high 22nd homer of the season.
Question: How did the Cubs take the lead in the ninth inning?
Answer: Pinch-hitter Carson Kelly hit a bases-loaded double off Brewers closer Trevor Megill in the top of the ninth inning, scoring two runs and giving the Cubs a 3-1 lead.
Question: How many hits did Jackson Chourio have?
Answer: Jackson Chourio had a huge night, going 4-for-5 at the plate with a double, a home run, and two RBIs.
Question: Who started the game for the Brewers and how did he pitch?
Answer: Jacob Misiorowski started for Milwaukee. He pitched 6 1/3 innings, allowing just one earned run on four hits while striking out nine batters.
Bottom Line
The Chicago Cubs vs Milwaukee Brewers match on September 8 was a classic. Chicago looked poised for a win. But Milwaukee showed why they’re the best team in baseball. Jackson Chourio’s heroics and Luis Lara’s walk-off gave the Brewers a critical 4-3 victory in 10 innings.
This win pushed Milwaukee’s lead in the NL Central to nine games. For the Cubs, it was a heartbreaking loss that could define their season.
Sources: MLB.com, ESPN, CBS News, Associated Press via The Lethbridge Herald, Field Level Media.
