The Chicago Cubs put on a clinic at Wrigley Field, dominating the St. Louis Cardinals with a decisive 12-1 victory. This win improves the Cubs’ record to 89-70, placing them second in the NL Central. Meanwhile, the Cardinals’ loss drops their record to 78-81, landing them fourth in the division.
A Strong Start for the Cubs
From the first inning, the Cubs set the tone with an early run, demonstrating their offensive prowess. By the fourth inning, they had extended their lead with two more runs. The Cubs continued to apply pressure, adding another run in the fifth inning.
Despite the Cardinals’ efforts, they couldn’t penetrate the Cubs’ defense in the early stages of the game. The Cubs’ pitching staff held the Cardinals scoreless for the first six innings. Colin Rea, the Cubs’ starter, was particularly effective, finishing with seven strikeouts in 5.2 innings.
Seventh Inning Explosion
The game blew wide open in the seventh inning when the Cubs unleashed a seven-run barrage, effectively putting the game out of reach. Seiya Suzuki was instrumental, delivering four RBIs, including a home run. The Cardinals managed to get on the scoreboard in the same inning, with Jordan Walker driving in a run.
Nevertheless, the Cardinals’ late effort proved insufficient against the Cubs’ relentless attack. The Cubs added another run in the eighth inning to cap off their impressive offensive display. The Cubs ended the night with 12 hits and zero errors, a testament to their crisp performance.
Cardinals’ Struggles
On the flip side, the Cardinals struggled to find their footing, managing only five hits throughout the game. Nolan Gorman had a decent performance, securing two hits, including a double. However, their overall offensive efforts were stifled by the Cubs’ effective pitching and defense.
Miles Mikolas took the loss for the Cardinals, allowing four runs on four hits over five innings. The Cardinals’ bullpen was unable to contain the Cubs, particularly during the explosive seventh inning. The loss reflects the difficulties the Cardinals have faced this season, both on the road and within their division.
Looking ahead, the Cardinals will be eager to bounce back as they remain at Wrigley Field for two more games against the Cubs. With a division record of 24-25, these upcoming games present an opportunity to end the season on a stronger note. Meanwhile, the Cubs will look to maintain their momentum as they aim to close the gap in the NL Central standings.
