“Good things come those who wait” was the big takeaway from this recent Cardinals-Cubs series. In all but the last game, the majority of the runs were scored in the fifth inning or later. Before then, pitching was dominant; in the first three games, no starting pitcher gave up more than three runs. Despite the offensive spark, the bullpens remained a problem for both clubs. This was especially true for the Cubs, who can owe their two losses in the series to ninth inning mistakes by their pitching staff.
The first game was a true pitchers’ duel. BothJon LesterandJohn Lackeypitched seven innings. Lester in particular had a good day; in addition to throwing 6 and 1/3 innings of no-hit ball, he cracked his first major league hit off of Lackey. It all fell apart in the seventh for Lester as the Cardinals chased him from the mound. First,Jhonny Peraltahit a single into right field to break the no-hitter. Two batters later,Yadier Molinadrove Peralta in on a sacrifice fly.Kolten Wongwould single to bringJason Heywardhome, and that was it for Lester.
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But the real trouble for the Cubs started after a 90-minute rain delay withEdwin Jacksonin the ninth. After Jhonny Peralta walked, both Molina and Wong singled off Jackson to load the bases.Mark Reynoldswould hit a sacrifice fly andRandal Grichukwould double to bring all three in for runs. Grichuk himself would score a run on aPeter Bourjossingle as the final score reached 6-0.
The Cubs took their revenge in Tuesday’s doubleheader. In the day game,Chris Denorfiacame up huge for the Cubs, scoring four of their seven runs. In the third inning, Denorfia took aTyler Lyonsslider to center and scoredAnthony RizzoandJorge Soler, and he smacked aRandy Choatepitch to bring in Soler andKris Bryantalong with aDexter Fowlerdouble and a Anthony Rizzo homer as part of a four-run eighth inning. Despite a late rally in the form of a Mark Reynolds 2-run homer, the Cards lost 7-4.
The trouble for the Cardinals continued in the night game. Things were quiet until the fifth inning, whenStarlin Castrocame in off aTaylor Teagardensingle to open the scoring. The Cardinals would respond with two runs in the sixth; Jason Heyward grounded into a fielder’s choice to driveMatt Carpenterin, and Mark Reynolds hit an infield single to bring Heyward home. The Cubs scored three runs in the seventh and Anthony Rizzo would score on a Castro sac fly. A Peter Bourjos single in the ninth to score Randal Grichuk would not be enough as the Cardinals lost 5-3.
As the fourth game in the series neared its end, it looked like the Cubs would take the series. The North Siders put up two runs in the fourth on a Kris Bryant triple and a Starlin Castro single and three runs in the sixth on aMiguel Monterobases clearing double to get ahead 5-4, but Jhonny Peralta would once again play spoiler. With two outs in the ninth inning, Peralta took aPedro Stroppitch yard withPete Kozmaon base to put the Cardinals up 6-5.Addison Russellwould double to center, but it wouldn’t be enough to top the Cardinals.
Despite the losses, the Cardinals should be optimistic. The Cardinals scored at least three runs in every game in the series. The offense is starting to click, and theMatt Hollidayshould be back sooner rather than later to give the lineup even more pop. The Cardinals have certainly regained their stride, and it’s at just the right time; The Pirates have won eight of their last ten, and are 4.5 games back of the Cardinals in the NL Central. This next series will be crucial if the Cardinals wish to go into the All-Star Break with any sort of positive momentum.
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