Fresh off DL, Fowler opens game with homer

MILWAUKEE — When Dexter Fowler checked in with Joe Maddon in his office Friday, the Cubs manager greeted him with, “You go, we go.” That’s the saying Maddon would give Fowler before each at-bat, and he has not used it since the outfielder has been on the disabled list. On Friday, Fowler was activated and led off the game with a home run.

Fowler smacked a 3-1 pitch from the Brewers’ Jimmy Nelson to straight away center for his 18th career leadoff homer and fourth this season.

“It feels like Opening Day,” said Fowler, who added a two-run double in the second inning. “It feels good to get back on the field and get back with these guys.”

Sidelined since June 19 with a right hamstring strain, Fowler went 1-for-5 with a double, a walk, and scored two runs on Wednesday when he played both games of a doubleheader with Triple-A Iowa in Des Moines. He started in center field in the first game and went 0-for-3, striking out twice, and was the designated hitter in the second game.

“I just wanted to get some [at-bats] and see some pitches,” Fowler said. “This is my fourth week [since I was hurt]. It felt good and I’m seeing the ball well. I just want to contribute a little bit.”

With Fowler, the Cubs were 46-20, and they went 11-17 without him. He was batting .290, and ranked among the …

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