Brewers 9, Cubs 3: Rickie Weeks homered twice and drove in four runs while Kyle Lohse worked seven solid innings as host Milwaukee claimed the opener of the three-game series.

Juan Francisco also went deep and Jonathan Lucroy added a two-run single for the Brewers, who have won five of six meetings with Chicago this season and moved a game clear of the last-place Cubs in National League Central. Milwaukee has won nine straight at home against Chicago.

Lohse (3-6) allowed three runs on eight hits to record his fifth straight quality start and win his fourth consecutive decision against the Cubs. His only mistake was a 2-1 sinker that Nate Schierholtz tagged for a three-run homer in the third, giving Chicago a 3-1 lead.

Weeks' RBI double set off a five-run fifth inning and extended his hitting streak to nine games. He tacked on a two-run blast in the sixth and a solo shot in the eighth for the seventh multi-homer performance of his career.

Cubs starter Edwin Jackson (3-10) was roughed up for six runs on six hits in 4 2/3 innings.

GAME NOTEBOOK: Cubs SS Starlin Castro got the day off, snapping his streak of 269 consecutive games played - which had been the longest active run in the National League. The last time Castro was not in the Cubs' starting lineup was July 6, 2012. … Brewers 3B Aramis Ramirez went 0-for-4 and remains one away from becoming the 15th active player with 2,000 hits. … The Cubs designated RHP Carlos Marmol for assignment and released 3B Ian Stewart, who had been with Triple-A Iowa.