Cardinals Lose Game 2 After Poor Defensive Showing

33. Final. 6. 9. 3

The St Louis Cardinals fumbled away a game they should have won.

The St Louis Cardinals sold out to another record breaking crowd Saturday night in the second game of the divisional series. The Chicago Cubs would win the game after a five run second inning which five runs came un-earned when the Cardinals made two costly errors. First, Kolten Wong had the ball slip out of his hand while turning a double play, resulting in the ball sailing into the Cardinals dugout. Then two batters later, the Cubs would attempt a sacrifice squeeze that pitcher Jaime Garcia would throw wide left to first base, resulting in even more runs scoring later in the inning.

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The game once again started out in St Louis’ favor. Matt Carpenter hit a lead off home run in the first inning to get the Cardinals on the board. The Cardinals would later hit back to back home runs once again to make it a three score ballgame. One coming from Kolten Wong and the other from Randall Grichuk. The Cardinals would not be able to muster any offense after the fifth inning, resulting in a disappointing loss. Both clubs would only get six hits each, with the Cardinals striking out eleven times in the game, including three by Stephen Piscotty.

Pitcher Jaime Garcia did not seem to have his best stuff from the get-go. He looked very uncomfortable in his two innings he pitched. Then he made the key mental mistake of the wild throw in the second inning. The second inning would be Garcia’s last as manger Mike Matheny brought in Lance Lynn to pitch middle relief. The Cardinals bullpen would not struggle very much at all. With five pitchers coming in after Lance Lynn, they all only gave up a combine one hit.

Later in the game, Mike Matheny commented on the replacement of Garcia, claiming Garcia has been battling a virus and that is why he was taken out.

Oct 10, 2015; St. Louis, MO, USA; St. Louis Cardinals pinch hitter Randal Grichuk (15) hits a solo home run against the Chicago Cubs during the fifth inning in game two of the NLDS at Busch Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports

The Cardinals need to find a way to get smaller offense going. The three home runs are nice, but even getting three home runs doesn’t mean very much when nobody is on base for any of them. The Cardinals need to get more hits besides the long ball. The Pitching is still good, it was just a bad inning, which resulted in the Cardinals really beating themselves. (not to use that old cliché, but look at the scoreboard)

The Cardinals will take on the Cubs again Monday night where Michael Wacha will face the ever dangerous Jake Arrieta at Wrigley Field.

Next: St Louis Cardinals Win Game 1 Against Cubs 4-0

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