MILWAUKEE — Francisco Rodriguez wasn’t supposed to be the closer for the Milwaukee Brewers this season.
Pressed into duty after Jim Henderson got injured, Rodriguez had another banner year and claimed another milestone.
Rodriguez moved into 10th place on baseball’s career saves list in the Brewers’ 2-1 win over the Chicago Cubs on Saturday night.
"This is a big accomplishment," Rodriguez said. "Coming into spring I didn’t know what to expect.
"If my career ends tonight, definitely, I can look back and say I had a wonderful career."
Rodriguez, however, wasn’t implying that his career is over. The right-hander pitched a scoreless ninth for his 348th career save, and 44th this year, to move ahead of Randy Myers.
Jonathan Lucroy set a major-league record for doubles in a season by a catcher, and Wily Peralta (17-11) struck out a career-high 13 in seven innings.
Rodriguez, 32, who can become a free agent after the season, was signed during last off-season to set up Henderson. Henderson, bothered by inflammation in his right shoulder, was removed from the closer’s role on opening day and pitched only 11 1/3 innings.
Rodriguez has converted all but five save opportunities in 69 games.
"A great season. If he’s not there at the beginning of the year, we’re not certainly in it for that long period," manager Ron Roenicke said of the Brewers being in first place for 150 days this season.
"We kind of threw it at him two days before the season started, and he’s done a great job," Roenicke said. "It’s impressive, and his age, too. He’s got more in him."
Peralta allowed five hits and one walk in 109 pitches.
"I can see how he’s chalked up all those victories," Chicago manager Rick Renteria said after Peralta used his slider to dominate hitters.
Lucroy’s double off Tsuyoshi Wada (4-4) in the fifth inning snapped a 1-1 tie and gave the All-Star his 46th double as a catcher, topping the 45 hit by Texas’ Ivan Rodriguez in 1996. Lucroy has 53 doubles this year, tying the Brewers’ franchise record. Seven were hit when he played first base.
"Honestly, I’m just glad to contribute to the win tonight and wish I could have done that more often during the season," Lucroy said. "It’s one of those things that is kind of bittersweet, I guess."
Wada allowed two runs, eight hits and one walk in five innings. He struck out four.
Milwaukee (82-79), with one game left against the Cubs on Sunday, is assured of finishing the season with a winning record.
Before the game, Brewers owner Mark Attanasio said general manager Doug Melvin would return next season. However, Attanasio added that the status of Roenicke and the coaching staff hasn’t been decided.
Carlos Gomez hit his 23rd homer and doubled.
The Cubs scored their only run on an RBI double by Anthony Rizzo in the third inning.
Lucroy’s double scored Gomez from second and gave Milwaukee a 2-1 lead.
"I try not to think about hitting doubles," he said. "It’s like trying to hit homers. If you try to do it, it’s not going to happen. I try to hit the ball hard."
Arismendy Alcantara tripled with one out in the seventh, but Peralta struck out Ryan Kalish and pinch-hitter Logan Watkins to end the inning.
"Wily was awesome," Lucroy said. "He was determined. He competed his butt off. I’ll tell you what, that guy is going to throw a couple of no-hitters during his career, for sure, if not a perfect game. He’s got the best nasty stuff around."
LOTS OF WHIFFS:
The Cubs struck out 16 times — the sixth time this season the team had at least that many batters fanned. "We weren’t able to string together a while lot of offence," Renteria said.
WEEKS FINALE?
Rickie Weeks went 2-for-3 with a walk in what might have been his final start for the Brewers. Scooter Gennett typically starts against right-handed pitchers, and RHP Jacob Turner is starting for the Cubs in the season finale on Sunday. Weeks can become a free agent after the season and isn’t expected to return.
TRAINER’S ROOM:
Brewers: Roenicke said he didn’t bring up nagging injuries by many of his key players as the team faded in the final weeks. "You don’t know if anybody really wants to hear that," he said.
UP NEXT
Cubs: Jacob Turner will pitch on Sunday. He is 2-0 with a 0.60 ERA in three starts against Milwaukee this year.
Brewers: Mike Fiers will wrap up the season for Milwaukee. In three career games, Fiers is 2-0 with a 0.63 ERA against Chicago.
