Scherzer recorded as many hits at the plate (two) as he allowed (two) in six innings of one-run ball. He struck out six to snap his streak of six consecutive double-digit strikeout games, but he lowered his ERA to 2.06.
Cubs starter Jake Arrieta, meanwhile, issued six walks and was charged with six runs (five earned) on six hits in four-plus innings. Chicago's defense, stellar in the series-opening win, was not sharp, committing two key errors. After Kris Bryant's triple in the first plated Anthony Rizzo, the Cubs could not mount any sort of rally against Scherzer, who retired his last 10 batters.