MILWAUKEE – Shota Imanaga wasn’t going to have a sub-1.00 ERA forever.

The Cubs ace has been the best pitcher in baseball this season but the Brewers’ high-powered offense came out on top Wednesday night at American Family Field.

Imanaga was tagged for 7 runs on 8 hits in 4.1 innings as the Cubs fell to the Brewers 10-6.

Coming into the outing, Imanaga had only allowed 5 earned runs all season in 9 starts.

The Cubs starting rotation had also completely shut down the Milwaukee offense this season, riding a 32.1 inning scoreless streak into the game before Imanaga gave up a 2-run homer to Christian Yelich in the 1st inning.

“Unfortunately, today it wasn’t there and so I want to apologize to Counsell for not having it today,” Imanaga said through interpreter Edwin Stanberry after the game. “I wanted to step up for him but unfortunately, I wasn’t able to.”

Imanaga said he had not had a conversation with Counsell yet, but was simply sharing how he felt.

The Cubs players understand the importance of this series for both the team but also for their manager as he made his return to the place he called home for 18 seasons.

[MORE: Cliff Floyd’s candid take on what has plagued the Cubs during recent struggles]

This was Imanaga’s first start since May 18. He was supposed to take the ball last Friday in St. Louis but the game was rained out and the Cubs used it as an opportunity to give their rookie southpaw extra rest.

Imanaga brushed aside any notion that he was rusty after the long layoff.

“I don’t think there was really an issue with that,” he said. “I felt really recovered.”

He was touched up for 5 more runs in the 3rd and was ultimately removed after 4.1 innings, his shortest start of the season (apart from a rain delay outing in April).

Imanaga’s season ERA now sits at 1.86 through his first 10 career outings.

“Well, I guess the historic start is over but the great start is still here,” Counsell said. “Nothing changes from my perspective. He’s been a joy to watch. He’s been a huge part of us getting a bunch of wins and look forward to him going out there again.”

Imanaga’s teammates felt the same way.

“Obviously he’s been unbelievable,” said Ian Happ. “I don’t know what the lowest ERA in the league is over the last like 10 years but it was impossible for him to sustain that number. This day was coming. It was gonna happen. He’ll learn from it and move on and figure out what was a little bit different today and come back next week.

“He’s been definition of an ace. He’s been shutdown. Going deep in games whenever there’s not a rain delay or something like that. He’s just he’s been unbelievable. He’s kept us in games, gives us a chance to win every time out. Just a special pitcher.”

Kyle Hendricks pitched the rest of the game in relief, giving up 3 more runs in the 7th inning as his struggles continue this year even after a move to the bullpen.

Offensively, the slumping Cubs lineup had a solid day with 10 hits and 3 walks against the Brewers pitching staff. Happ homered and singled, scored a pair of runs and drove in 2. Cody Bellinger also tallied a pair of hits.

The Cubs look to salvage a series split Thursday afternoon in Milwaukee. Coverage begins at 11:30 a.m. on Marquee Sports Network.