Jason Hammel has three RBI compared to two runs allowed through three starts. Even though, one major highlight for St. Louis, former Cardinals RF Jason Heyward was 0-4 in the game and all facing Leake.
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The Chicago Cubs had Jason Hammel on a short leash in last season’s final months and didn’t hesitate to lift him in the fourth inning of their playoff clincher against the St. Louis Cardinals.
If the Cardinals decline Matt Holliday’s $17 million option for next season, he could be a free agent in November. This production isn’t likely to get me to reverse my position in favor of the DH in the National League, but I admit it’s fun to watch and Hammel’s hitting, by itself, won the game for the Cubs.
St. Louis is 0-5 against the Cubs and the Pittsburgh Pirates – who swept the Cardinals in a season-opening series – and has been outscored 22-8.
“No, no”, Hammel said with a chuckle.
“I was really impressed with the way we went about our business”, Maddon said. But Kolten Wong struck out and Molina flied out to right fielder Heyward, whose flawless throw to the plate nailed the sliding Holliday. “Games like that are the ones you’re going to have to win against great teams (in) a playoff series”.
Chicago Cubs starting pitcher John Lackey throws during the first inning of a baseball game against the St. Louis Cardinals on Monday, April 18, 2016, in St. Louis. Heyward understood where Yadier Molina often hits the ball (right field) and accounted for the runner at third base (Matt Holliday) and wouldn’t be caught by surprise.
Hammel was glad to come through for the Cubs (11-3), who already have built a four-game lead over the Cardinals.
On September 3, the Cubs were three games behind the Astros in the division and three games ahead of St. Louis.
Hendricks will also try to become the Cubs’ 15th consecutive starter to last at least six innings. He walked four, struck out seven and threw 98 pitches.
“I look back on it, and I think Yankees fans will probably say this has been the best 10 or 15 years of the rivalry”, Hoyer said. “I probably could have put some bat on it if I got a little lower with my legs”.
Molina had an RBI triple in the second but the Cardinals missed a chance for more because Matt Adams strayed off second and was picked off. Rizzo was robbed of a two-run shot to end the first when center fielder Randal Grichuk leaped above the wall in left-center to snag his towering fly ball.
But the Cards and Cubs had a five-games-in-four-days series (due to an earlier rainout) in Chicago beginning September 1, and the Cubs took four of those five games.
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Heyward said Monday that he wasn’t talking about the players’ ages – he was talking about their contracts. “What’s impressive about our team is we don’t have everyone hitting right now and we’re still finding ways to win”. “Everybody was going up there having good at-bats and their pitchers just made good pitches”.
