Fly the W: Cubs double-up Cardinals to win third straight |
CHICAGO — The magic number for the Chicago Cubs (54-58) is four, as in four runs per game. When this team scores at least four runs in a game, they are tough to beat with a 45-15 record. That includes winning 15 of its last 16 games and all four games in the second half when it scores four runs in a game.
Looking to keep that streak alive against the St. Louis Cardinals (56-54) at Wrigley Field on Friday, the Cubs needed only one inning to extend it. They scored five times in the second inning to take the lead before holding on for the 6-3 win. They have now secured a series split against the Cardinals at the very worst. This was a series the Cubs had to have if they wanted to make it to the postseason. It didn't come easy as Javier Assad and the rest of the Cubs struggled with their command as they walked nine Cardianls hitters compared to eight strikeouts as all three of the Cardinals runs came on bases loaded walks. Assad had the most struggles of anyone, at least when it comes to pitch counts, as he walked three, struck out three in four innings, and needed 94 pitches to get out of those innings. The Cardinals turned to the newly acquired Erick Fedde, who was making his first start since being acquired from the Chicago White Sox. Although his overall line doesn't look great, with him allowing five runs in five innings, it was one rough inning that did him in, as he struck out four and walked none. All of the damage off Fedde and most of the Cubs damage came in the second inning as Nico Hoerner got things rolling with a one out single. That was followed by a pair of singles by Dansby Swanson and Pete Crow-Armstrong with PCA cashing in with the RBI to put the Cubs in front 1-0. The big blow of the inning, and in the game for that matter, came off the bat of Christian Bethancourt as he drove a Fedde heater the other way and dropped in the right field basket for a three-run shot to put the Cubs in front 4-0. Christian Bethancourt said "text me when you land" pic.twitter.com/R87NcRyBFz It was the first home run for Bethancourt since joining the Cubs, and he also came away with a caught stealing in the first inning. With four runs across, the Cubs offense continued to add on as Michael Busch took Fedde deep two batters later to cap off the five-run frame, with the Cubs leading 5-0. Busch joins in on the fun. Had they not scored the rest of the way, those five runs would've been enough, but as they have found out a ton this season, you need to add on runs to be safe. Following the Cubs' five-run inning, Fedde began to settle in on the mound, retiring the final 10 hitters he faced to keep things close. At the same time, the Cardinals benefitted from some command issues by Assad to grab a run in the third of a bases-loaded walk before chasing him from the game after four. Despite the struggles of Assad, the Cubs still had a four-run lead, and with Tyson Miller and the bullpen set to enter the game they had to like their chances. This has been the best bullpen in the game for over a month. Miller has played a massive role in that as he tossed 1 2/3 scoreless frames before yielding to Drew Smyly. Still holding a 5-1 lead in the eighth, Craig Counsell made the move to Julian Merryweather as they continue to work him into games since returning from the IL. In his four appearances since returning, Merryweather has been far from perfect, but for the most part, he has been able to limit the damage as his command has been spotty. Command was undoubtedly an issue for Merryweather as he walked four batters in 2/3 of an inning, including one with the bases loaded, and the Cardinals pulled within 4-2. Hector Neris took over from there and walked the first batter he faced as the Cardinals pulled within 5-3. That would be the final run of the game for St. Louis as Seiya Suzuki led the bottom of the eighth off with a double before coming home to score in the eighth as the Cubs opened up a 6-3 lead. Seiya scores for some insurance 😏 pic.twitter.com/H73uaLrfnb Back on the mound for the ninth and needing three outs to secure his 15th save, Neris took care of business. He retired the Cardinals to close things out and help the Cubs win their third straight 6-3. Friday at [W]on:20 🤩 pic.twitter.com/si4imcxuZR Chicago had eight hits in the win, with Suzuki leading the way with two. The Cards were in our favor. Christian Bethancourt hits his first homer with the #Cubs. pic.twitter.com/uGxHvn3kvV “You get an opportunity and you make the most of it, and that’s what he’s doing.” 2016 World Series MVP Ben Zobrist sings the seventh inning stretch! pic.twitter.com/MoZFIwN9eV
🗣️:CUBS 5-0 pic.twitter.com/c3tgFgsQ0m
Bethancourt: 1-for-3, HR, 3 RBI, R
PCA: 1-for-2, BB, RBI, R, SB
Miller: W, 1.2 IP, 0 H, 0 ER pic.twitter.com/Tf2dfRXEKq
The @Cubs are 3-0 with Christian Bethancourt starting behind the dish. pic.twitter.com/2rCmsM8OmE
