The Cubs didn’t score until the seventh inning, hitting back-to-back singles to take advantage of a leadoff walk. The Blue Jays continued to tack on. Daulton Varsho brought their lead back up to four runs with a solo homer off Brown in the eighth. It was the only run Brown allowed in four innings.

The Cubs reinstated catcher Miguel Amaya and right-hander Javier Assad from the 60-day injured list, with Assad starting the series opener against the AL East-leading Blue Jays.

Reese McGuire has performed admirably in filling in for Amaya, batting .235/.250/.459 (20-for-85) with six home runs, coincidentally in 27 games, and memorably, he hit two home runs in his first game as a Cub the day after Amaya was injured.