Cubs cruise to rout of Brewers behind Arrieta

CHICAGO — Johnny Vander Meer’s record is safe. Jake Arrieta did not throw another no-hitter and his scoreless-innings streak at home ended, but the right-hander did get the win in the Cubs’ 7-2 victory over the Brewers on Thursday at Wrigley Field.

David Ross hit a solo home run, Ben Zobrist smacked a two-run single and Anthony Rizzo and Tommy La Stella each hit RBI doubles for the Cubs, now 16-5 and off to their best start since going 17-4 in 1907.

Brewers leadoff man Jonathan Villar spoiled any no-no drama by hitting a 2-2 slider from Arrieta to left field for a broken bat single to lead off the game. Vander Meer is the only Major League pitcher to throw back-to-back no-hitters, doing so in June 1938. Arrieta (5-0, 1.00 ERA) shut down the Reds on April 21 in his second career no-no, and was pitching on extra rest because of an off-day and a rainout.

Villar scored on Alex Presley’s double in the fifth to end Arrieta’s home shutout streak at 52 2/3 innings, second longest ever in the regular season in the Major Leagues. The White Sox Ray Herbert threw 54 straight scoreless innings at Comiskey Park, spanning 1962-63.

MOMENTS THAT MATTEREDFirst things first: The Brewers loaded the bases against Arrieta in the first, but the right-hander escaped without giving up a run. Milwaukee starter Taylor Jungmann wasn’t as fortunate in the home half. Dexter Fowler singled, and one out later, Jungmann hit Kris Bryant with a pitch before walking Rizzo to load the bases and set up Zobrist’s two-run single. Zobrist had fouled a ball toward the Cubs’ dugout that …

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