Saint Louis Cardinals Fall to Chicago Cubs 2-1
Cardinals sunk by Jason Hammel in second of three-game set.
The Cardinals almost rebounded from a 5-0 drubbing by their rivals the Chicago Cubs, but fell short, losing the game 2-1. This is despite a another solid start from Cardinals P Jaime Garcia; the 29-year old went five innings, giving up two runs on four hits and striking out seven, while also giving up four walks.
C Yadier Molina opened the scoring early with a triple to center field off Cubs P Jason Hammel in the bottom of the second, bringing in OF Randal Grichuk. However, that was the only offense the Cardinals could muster tonight. A pair of baserunners in the fourth would come to naught after Yadier Molina flew out into a double play.
Because Jason Heyward.
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And so ended the Cardinals’ best chance at evening the score. The Cubs pitching staff would only give up two more hits the rest of the game, and despite every attempt the Cubs would give them, including three walks, the Cardinals just couldn’t get it going past the fourth inning. The team was a collective 0-for-8 with runners in scoring position, and left eight on base. The Cubs left more men on base, but were 2-for-9 with RISP.
Indeed, it was Jason Hammel himself who would get the last laugh. Hammel singled in the fourth inning to bring in both Jorge Soler and Ben Zobrist, putting the game out of the Cardinals’ reach for good. Hector Rondon would get the last call from the Cubs bullpen and close it out, but not before the rest of the Cubs bullpen pulled two innings of one-hit ball.
The Cardinals and Cubs will play the rubber match in this series tomorrow. Kyle Hendricks is the projected starter for the Cubs and Carlos Martinez will get the call for the Cardinals.