Milwaukee pounds six Cubs pitchers--and one outfielder

The Milwaukee Brewers hit three consecutive home runs in the ninth inning of Monday’s 15-4 pounding of the Cubs. The homers by Ryan Braun, Aramis Ramirez and Corey Hart were part of an nine-run inning that saw the Cubs need outfielder Joe Mather to get the last out.

The three homers off reliever Alex Hinshaw were a first for the Brewers since Sept. 9, 2007 when Rickie Weeks, Hart and Braun did it against Cincinnati.

Ramirez had two homers in the game.

The Brewers had 21 hits off seven Cubs pitchers, including Mather. He was the first Cubs position player to take the mound since Gary Gaetti did so on July 3, 1999 at Philadelphia. Mather had pitched once before in his career in a 20-inning contest with his former team, the St. Louis Cardinals.

“Obviously, it’s not what you want to do,” Mather said. “Unfortunately, we had to do it.

“I have a fastball and a hanging curve,” he added.

Manager Dale Sveum said he turned to Mather because he did not want to use bullpen workhorses James Russell and Shawn Camp, who were the only relievers left along with closer Carlos Marmol.

The Brewers scored five in the ninth off Alex Hinshaw and four against Lendy Castillo. Mather gave up a single before getting the final out of the inning.