The Cubs extended their division lead to 13 games Thursday night, beating the Cardinals in a 5-4 walkoff win in the 11th.
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“We’ve got some young talented players that are going to have to step up and get the job done”, Cardinals manager Mike Matheny said. “For us, we just put our nose down whether we’re in first place, whether we’re not, whether we’re somewhere in the middle”.
With 11 straight wins, the Chicago Cubs are running away in the National League Central race, and they’ll try to add another game to their lead over the St. Louis Cardinals when the rivals continue their four-game series Saturday at Wrigley Field. Holliday wouldn’t speculate on whether he felt his season was over. He’ll see a hand specialist Friday and says it’s “super disappointing but it’s part of sport, unfortunately”. That’s the team’s longest streak since winning 12 straight from May 19-June 2, 2001.
St. Louis lost 4-3 in 11 innings on a bases-loaded walk. Wainwright hit Szczur’s left shoulder with a pitch in the second inning, and mop-up reliever Jerome Williams drilled Chris Coghlan’s left knee in the seventh, but there were no real fireworks. “It wasn’t on goal”. In fact, Wainwright had given up a run and had two men on before he even got an out, but the evidence of Wainwright’s struggles was clear by the time Addison Russell doubled in the second run of the game. He has flown back to St. Louis for further evaluations.
Matt Szczur took over the leadoff spot and hammered two home runs and a double, scoring four times and driving in three runs. Adam Wainwright will pitch for the Cardinals against Chicago’s Jake Arrieta. Oh then took the 10th, eventually working out of a two-runner jam with no damage.
The Cubs wasted three good opportunities to score before capitalizing in odd fashion, as has been their signature. He walked to first base accompanied by the trainer and manager Mike Matheny before leaving the field. Although he was listed in the line-up for the final game against the Reds, he was scratched with Matt Carpenter being moved to cover first base. I suppose they still can – they’re three back in the Wild Card and it’s not like there are 50 teams ahead of them – but it’s getting late pretty early for NY.
The Cardinals have suffered yet another telling injury as the season heads into it’s home stretch.
St. Louis, meanwhile, remains in the hunt for a wild card berth. He walked two and struck out six. He hurt himself when he cut off a throw home that seemingly had a chance to get Anthony Rizzo on Chicago’s second run. Chicago’s homestand continues with games against the Cardinals on Saturday and Sunday followed by a four-game series with the Brewers beginning next Tuesday. “That’s all that matters”, Lester said. “The close game we grind out”.
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RHP Pedro Strop, placed on the 15-day DL on Thursday due to a left meniscus tear, will undergo surgery Friday. Grichuk was recalled from Triple-A Memphis. Strop (2-2, 21 holds, 2.89 ERA) is expected to be out four to six weeks. Rondon played catch and is scheduled for a bullpen session Friday.
