Joe Maddon’s players saw their 11-game winning streak come to an end yesterday, with the Redbirds using a six-run explosion in the eighth inning to secure an 8-4 victory.
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A flawless recipe for a mumbly, brusque Lackey in the postgame room, right?
“Obviously it makes it a little bit easier to think about, I can’t deny that”, Maddon said. “I knew he’d be ready to play”. Would playing Heyward four out of every seven games change his luck quicker than playing every day? “Hi, I love you”.
He waved and everything.
So yeah, the Cubs’ second straight defeat at the hands of the St. Louis Cardinals wasn’t exactly ripping apart the fabric of this team. After a 2-2 series split, the Cubs remain 12 games up on the Cardinals in the NL Central.
Said Lackey: “When you have the kind of lead we do, you sort of have leeway to do some things”. And, Weaver threw just one Triple-A game for the Memphis Redbirds before being called up to the big league club.
Weaver gave up a two-run home run to Addison Russell in the second inning on what looked like a hanging changeup. Chicago’s pitching staff has been doing better against opposing offenses during the last 10 games, only allowing an average of 2.4 runs per game, well under their season average of 3.4.
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Fernando Rodney got his third save for Miami despite giving up three hits in the ninth, including a solo homer by Tim Anderson. They rallied against Marlins pitcher Kyle Barraclough with the help of a walk, two wild pitches and Justin Morneau’s double. “That’s what they do, that’s what they’re made of”.
The Cards aim to even up the weekend series at two games apiece when the two teams close out their weekend meeting at Wrigley Field Sunday night.
“It’s Cardinals-Cubs – anything can happen”, Piscotty said.
Maddon saluted all three, especially Szczur, who shuttled between the Cubs and the minors last season.
Taking the mound for the Cardinals on Sunday will be RHP Mike Leake.
Given the historical narrative around this team and the enhanced attention all season, there’s always cause for panicky behavior from fans. There’s so much excitement about the other side right in the middle of the game.
The Cardinals took advantage of a bullpen missing injured setup men Pedro Strop and Hector Rondon. That’s one of the manager’s main jobs.
“It’s not terrible”, Maddon said of the series split. “Believe me, I’ve been through a lot worse”. “So we have to restructure this somehow”. Since recovering from his sprained ankle and returning from his rehab assignment on August 1, Moss has gone 15 for 53 with five doubles, four homers and 10 RBIs.
Rondon started the eighth and gave up four hits, including two homers, a three-run shot by Stephen Piscotty and a solo homer by Brandon Moss. Rondon has not pitched since August 2.
How abnormal is that performance?
Anthony Rendon homered and drove in four runs. He allowed just three hits, struck out eight and allowed three walks. The fastball velocity wasn’t up there.
Rondon said he felt “really good”. He just missed his spots on a couple pitches.
Weaver’s fastball was clocked at 93 miles per hour and above. “I feel like it’s my fault”.
“I won’t deny that that hit me at some point in that game”, Matheny said. I’ll be all right. Zach Duke replaced Maness and got Willson Contreras to fly out.
Weaver was lifted for a pinch hitter in the fifth inning. He struck out nine batters and walked six, becoming the first pitcher in the majors to do so since 2013 (see full recap).
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If and when that push comes, though, the Cubs will probably have a sizable enough lead to withstand it and waltz to their second consecutive playoff appearance.
