The Cardinals would make their first of two trips of the season to Wrigley Field, looking to put together a second consecutive win after snapping an agonizing 8-game skid. That’s how long it’s been since we last capped and touched base, it’s been a rough time period.
But let’s hope tonight is the night tides turn for the better.
We will just go ahead and label this one ‘The Willson Contreras Game.’
With first pitch temps in the 40’s and dropping as the game progressed, offense was at a premium. Mikolas would strikeout 7 over 4.1IP, running his pitch count up to 96 pitches. Stroman coasted thru 6IP, stroking out 6 himself.
But the Cardinals would get to Stroman first, delivering a three-hit inning in the 2nd. Contreras and Donovan opened the inning with back-to-back singles, before a one out, Dylan Carlson single to LF scored Contreras to make it 1-0 Cardinals.
Fast forward a few, the Cubs would even things up in their half of the 5th. Mikolas would leave with one out and runners on 2nd and 3rd, turning things over to Cabrera. Cabrera walked Happ immediately, loading the bases for Cody Bellinger.
That’s when that weird Cardinals luck we’ve been so accustomed to, finally kicked in. Bellinger would offer at the first pitch from Cabrera, sending it to shallow LF. Donovan would get behind it perfectly and deliver a strike to Kiz at the plate to nail the go-ahead runner, Nick Madrigal. That was the juice the Cardinals have been looking for, and they’d answer back to take the lead in the 6th.
Noot opened the frame with a walk vs Stroman. He then swiped his 4th stolen base to put himself in scoring position with two outs for a hyped up Willson Contreras at the dish. And did Contreras ever meet the magnitude of the moment, stroking a double over Bellinger’s head to score Noot to make it 2-1 Cardinals. Contreras was vibing to the boos.
Contreras would also drive the third run of the game home in the 8th on a fielders choice to Wisdom, who struggled with his decision upon fielding the grounder.
Cabrera (1.1IP), Hicks (2IP), Helsley (1.1IP) would toss the final 4.2IP scoreless, as Hicks and Helsley wouldn’t allow a hit. Hicks looked sharp through his two innings, striking out Amaya on a sweeper and Happ on a 101mph fastball up out of the zone.
Captain Jack (2-4, 6.29) looks for the first official win streak of the season for the Cardinals tomorrow night, facing off against Jameson Taillon (0-2, 5.29). First pitch from Wrigley is scheduled for 6:40pm c/t.
Cheers, Stew
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