Cubs cruise over 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.

“All I can say is he’s human,” catcher David Ross said of Arrieta, who is the first Cubs pitcher to go 5-0 in his first five starts since Greg Maddux in 2006.

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.

“They were patient early to either get my pitch count up or make me come into their zone,” Arrieta said of the Brewers. “It wasn’t sharp, but we got the job done.”

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.

“You can’t expect a guy to be perfect every time,” manager Joe Maddon said of Arrieta.

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 Aaron Hill chased but couldn’t secure.

“We force guys to throw strikes, and that’s the sign of a good ballclub that has confidence in its ability,” Ross said.

Villar stars: Villar reached base three times against Arrieta with two singles and a walk. Villar was in the leadoff spot for the second time this season and set the tone well, stealing second after both of his base hits and scoring the Brewers’ lone run while tallying three thefts. …

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