After an impressive win against the Cincinnati Reds on April 30th and a subsequent day off on May 1st, the Chicago Cubs were looking to add another win to their record in order to start May with the right foot.
Based on their performance today against the St. Louis Cardinals, there’s no secret the Cubs did a great job on both sides of the ball. Chicago managed to produce early and often against Adam Wainwright, got to an early lead and the bullpen held on to it on their way to a 6-5 win at Wrigley Field.
Chicago managed to defeat Adam Wainwright in The Friendly Confines for the first time in their career. The Cubs scored all six runs against St. Louis’ ace and while the offense stopped producing in the final innings, the bullpen did a great job taming the Cards on their way to a solid win.
The Cubs kicked things off in the first. After a single from Emilio Bonifacio and a double from Luis Valbuena, Anthony Rizzo scored both with a two-RBI single to put Chicago on top 2-0. However, St. Louis tied quickly and consecutive RBI hits from Matt Carpenter and Jhonny Peralta tied everything during the top of the third.
The Cubs broke loose in the bottom of the third though. Walks from Rizzo and Nate Schierholtz on both ends of a single from Starlin Castro loaded the bases with one out and Chicago took full advantage of the opportunity. Rizzo scored on a single from Ryan Sweeney and Welington Castillo doubled, scoring Schierholtz and Castro to make it 5-2 after three.
An error from Starlin Castro allowed Yadier Molina to score on the fourth but the Cubs answered quickly in the fifth with a solo HR from Rizzo, his fifth of the season. Jhonny Peralta connected a two-run blast in the eighth to keep things close but Hector Rondon retired the side on the ninth, saved the game and propelled the Cubs to their second straight win and first one during May.
It’s still early in the season but the Cubs are showing progress. Today’s game was a step in the right direction and if they can continue this approach, there’s no doubt they will win more games than the ones they will lose.