Recap: Too many offensive stars to count for the Cubs in this one. From Castro, to Rizzo, to Olt, and even Barney, the Cubs' offense was incredible tonight. They pounded out 20 hits, in a 17-5 massacre over the Cardinals. Bonifacio went 4-5 with 5 runs scored, and Lake was 3-6 with two doubles, one mammoth homerun, and 6 RBI. Wood picked up the win in a solid performance. He went 6 innings and gave up 4 earned runs. The Cardinals look to get their revenge tomorrow night with first pitch starting at 7:15 CT. St. Louis ace Adam Wainwright takes the hill against Jake Arrieta.
Carpenter flies out to Bonifacio to end the game.
Bottom 9th, 2 out: Nice play by Olt, getting Garcia on the groudout to 3B.
Bottom 9th, 1 out: Jay grounds out to Castro. One down.
Bottom 9th, 0 out: Closer Hector Rondon in to pitch the ninth for the Cubs. Obviously, this is far from a save spot.
Middle 9th: Descalso gets Olt to flyout on a deep drive to left on the first pitch. That could have been so much more fun!
Cubs' offense is just rolling on all cylinders tonight. Tough to pick the key players, but Lake and Bonifacio definetly deserve to be mentioned.
YES! Daniel Descalso is coming in to pitch. Nothing better than a position player pitching in a blowout!
Top 9th, 2 out: Castro with a RBI single up the middle scoring Lake.
Top 9th, 2 out: Rizzo with a RBI groundout to 2B. Bonifacio scores his 5th run of the game. 16-5.
Great stat from ESPN. This is the most runs the Cubs have scored in one game at St. Louis since 1974!
Top 9th, 1 out: Lake with a two run double to RF. 15-5 Cubs lead. Lake with 6 RBI tonight.
Top 9th, 1 out: Bonifacio with another hit! Lake now up with the bases loaded.
Top 9th, 1 out: And now Kalish with a single up the middle. Runners on 1st and 2nd with Bonifacio up.
Top 9th, 1 out: Barney with a solid single to RF that scores Castillo. 13-5 Cubs lead. Ryan Kalish to the plate as a pinch hitter.
Top 9th, 1 out: Schierholtz hits a sac fly to center that scores Olt. Now it is 12-5 Cubs.
Top 9th, 0 out: Castillo lines a double to LF, and each Cubs' starter now has at least one hit. 15 hits for the night.
Top 9th, 0 out: Olt lines a single to RF. The ball landed right in front of Craig.
Top 9th, 0 out: Mike Olt with a big swing and a miss on the first pitch against Choate.
Top 9th, 0 out: Randy Choate is in for the Cardinals.
Grimm has the talent to be a solid MLB Starting Pitcher. With their apparent lack of SP depth, I image they will give him a shot to start again eventually.
Grimm's stuff has been impressive this season. He will be a player to look as the Cubs have to decide whether they will keep him in the bullpen, or send him back to the rotation.
End 8th: Bourjos grounds into a tailor made double play to end the inning.
Bottom 8th, 1 out: Adams flies out deep to Schierholtz in RF.
Walks have been an issue, but Grimm has been very good for the Cubs this season.
Bottom 8th, 0 out: Jay hits a single to right to lead off the inning for the Cardinals.
Middle 8th: Flame throwing RHP Justin Grimm in for the Cubs.
Middle 8th: Neshek gets Castro to popout to centerfield. 1,2,3 inning for the unique RHP.
Top 8th, 2 out: Rizzo strikes out on a 3-2 pitch. Neshek looks great in this inning.
Top 8th, 1 out: 3-1 count to Rizzo.
Top 8th, 1 out: Lake strikes out on a pitch out of the zone. We have seen a lot of good Lake tonight, but we have also seen our fair share of bad Lake.
Top 8th, 0 out: 0-2 count to Lake at the moment.
End 7th: Jon Jay in to play left, and Tony Cruz has come in to play catcher. Matheny has called off the dogs.
End 7th: It appears that Pat Neshek and his quirky delivery will be in to face Lake, Rizzo, and Castro in the 8th.
End 7th: Craig hits a slow roller to Olt at 3B, and he throws him out to end the inning.
Bottom 7th, 2 out: 1-1 count on Craig.
Bottom 7th, 2 out: Schlitter gets Holliday to chase a nice slider out of the zone for strike three.
Bottom 7th, 1 out: Olt snatches a line drive off the bat of Peralta. He worked an 8 pitch at-bat before that lineout.
Bottom 7th, 0 out: Peralta working a nice at-bat against Schlitter. 2-2 count.
Middle 7th: Schlitter is a hard throwing RHP who has been solid for the Cubs this season, posting a 0.975 WHIP and 4.05 ERA.
Middle 7th: Schlitter is coming in to pitch the 7th.
Middle 7th: Peralta, Holliday, and Craig up to face a relief pitcher for the Cubs.
Middle 7th: Cardinals are finally able to get Bonifacio out as he grounds out to short to end the inning.
Nice play by Holliday there.
Top 7th, 2 out: Coghlan hits a deep drive to left that was caught by Holliday. 2 out, and 2 on.
Chris Coghlan in to pinch hit for Wood.
Top 7th, 1 out: Barney singles up the middle. His second hit of the night.
Top 7th, 1 out: Schierholtz lines a single to left. Everybody is hitting for the Cubs tonight!
Top 7th, 1 out: Seth Maness in to pitch for the Redbirds, and he gets Castillo to flyout to left to start the 7th.
End 6th: I imagine that will be the last inning for Wood. Solid, but inconsistent night for him. He really struggled with control at times tonight.
End 6th: Castillo, Schierholtz, and Barney due up for the North Siders, as they lead 11-5.
End 6th: Carpenter hits a short pop fly that was caught by Castro and ends the 6th inning.
Bottom 6th, 2 out: Matt Carpenter at the plate.
Bottom 6th, 2 out: Runner on 1st with two outs.
Bottom 6th, 2 out: Garcia hits a groudball to short, Cubs miss the double play by inches. Good hustle by Garcia.
Bottom 6th, 1 out: Wood with the first pitch strike to Garcia.
Bottom 6th, 1 out: Wood walks the pinch hitter Butler.
Bottom 6th, 1 out: Butler has worked a 3-1 count.
Bottom 6th, 1 out: Joey Butler on to pitch hit for the Cardinals.
Bottom 6th, 1 out: Wood get Bourjos to lineout to Schierholtz in RF. One out.
Bottom 6th, 0 out: Bourjos leads off for the Cardinals.
Middle 6th: Have to imagine that Wood will be on a short leash here.
Middle 6th: Olt flies to deep centerfield to end the inning.
Top 6th, 2 out: Castro doubles to left, Bonifacio scores from first. 11-5 Cubs lead.
Ahh love seeing the Cubs' prospects mentioned on ESPN.
Top 6th, 2 out: 2-2 count to Castro after fouling off a good pitch.
Top 6th, 2 out: Rizzo with a sac fly to center. Wood scores, and it is now a 10-5 Cubs' lead.
Top 6th, 1 out: Rizzo rips one foul to right. 3-2 count.
Top 6th, 1 out: Rizzo now at 3-0.
Top 6th, 1 out: Fornataro getting wild. 2-0 to Rizzo.
Top 6th, 1 out: Lake with a lazy fly to Craig in RF. Wood advances to 3rd. 1st and 3rd with one out and Rizzo at the plate.
Top 6th, 0 out: Lake takes a huge rip at a fastball. 1-1 count.
Top 6th, 0 out: Bonifacio rips a single to left. He is 3-3 tonight with a double, two singles, one walk, and two runs scored.
Top 6th, 0 out: Runner on 1st, Bonifacio in a 0-2 hole.
Top 6th, 0 out: Wood gets drilled with the first pitch by Fornataro. Could be retaliation after last inning.
Wood is batting here.
End 5th: Wood (possibly a PH), Bonifacio, and Lake due up for the Cubs. They would surely like to add to this lead after that inning.
End 5th: Wood was shaky at best in that inning. Cubs' lead now 9-4.
End 5th: Adams flies out to left to end the inning.
What was that? Molina takes 3rd with no throw.
Bottom 5th 2 out: 2-2 count now on Matt Adams.
Bottom 5th 2 out: Brian Schlitter up and throwing for the Cubs.
All of a sudden the Cubs lead is now only four runs.
Bottom 5th, 2 out: Molina with a single up the middle. Scores Holliday and advances to 2nd on an errant throw by Bonifacio.
Bottom 5th, 2 out: 2-1 to Molina. Big spot in this game.
Wood not out of the jam yet.
Bottom 5th, 2 out: Craig grounds out to 3rd base. Runner scores. Olt hesitated before throwing to first, and almost allowed Craig to reach.
Bottom 5th, 1 out: Holliday laces a double to right field. The ball was just fair. One run scores. Runners on 2nd and 3rd, Cubs lead 9-3.
Bottom 5th, 1 out: Holliday fouls one straight back.
Bottom 5th, 1 out: 0-2 to Hollday.
Bottom 5th, 1 out: Holliday swinging for the fences there.
Cubs' pitching coach Chris Bosio out to the mound to settle down Wood.
Bottom 5th, 1 out: Wood now plunks Peralta. Neither HBP appeared to be intentional. Runners on 1st and 2nd with Holliday coming up.
Bottom 5th, 1 out: Wood gets Carpenter to fly out to Lake in left.
Bottom 5th, 0 out: Wood hits Garcia with a 3-0 pitch.
Bottom 5th, 0 out: Wood back to work and starts off with a ball inside to Greg Garcia.
On a side note. This new Godzilla movie looks great!
Middle 5th: Barney pops out to end the inning. Fornataro with a quick 1,2,3 5th inning.
Top 5th, 2 out: Schierholtz grounds out to second.
Top 5th, 1 out: Eric Fornataro on to pitch for the Cardinals. Castillo grounds out to start the innning.
End 4th: Wood doing a great job of mixing his speeds. Only 58 pitches through 4 innings as well. He is pitching to contact very successfully.
End 4th: Ellis flies out to center. Three up, three down for Wood once again.
Bottom 4th, 2 out: Wood strikes out Bourjos on three pitches. Man, he is on his game tonight.
Bottom 4th, 1 out: Two foul ball to start the at-bat against Bourjos.
Bottom 4th, 1 out: Wood gets Adams to fly out to Lake in leftfield.
Middle 4th: Olt grounds out to 3rd to end the inning. 9-2 Cubs lead.
Top 4th, 2 out: Lyons with a 2-1 count to Olt.
Check swing there by Castro. Look like he may have held up.
Top 4th, 2 out: Castro strikes out on a pitch in the dirt.
Top 4th, 1 out: 0-2 to Castro.
Top 4th, 1 out: Runners on 1st and 3rd with Castro up.
Runner is safe. 9-2 Cubs lead.
Renteria is challenging the play for the Cubs. Molina appears to have missed the tag.
Very close play at the plate. I think Bonifacio was safe.
Top 4th, 2 out: Rizzo hits a slow grounder to short. Bonifacio thrown out at the plate. Possible review coming.
Top 4th, 1 out: Runners on 2B and 3B with 1 out. 0-2 count to Rizzo.
Top 4th, 1 out: Bullpen up and moving for the Cardinals.
Great piece of hitting by Lake. This guy could be a star if he could just clean up his game.
Top 4th, 1 out: Lake hits an RBI double to right-center.
Top 4th, 1 out: Lyons walks Bonifacio on the 3-2 pitch. Runners on 1st and 2nd now.
Top 4th, 1 out: Now 3-2 to Bonifacio. Real opportunity for the Cubs to add on here.
Top 4th, 1 out: Molina heads to the mound to talk to Lyons. 2-0 count to Bonifacio with Barney on 2B.
Top 4th, 1 out: Wood lays downs a nice bunt with two strikes to advance Barney to second. He can really handle the bat well.
Top 4th, 0 out: Wood bunts one foul. 0-2 count.
Top 4th, 0 out: Lyons with a first pitch strike to Wood.
Top 4th, 0 out: Wood showing bunt here.
Top 4th, 0 out: Barney lashes a single to left to lead off the inning. 7-2 Cubs lead.
End 3rd: Barney, Wood, and Bonifacio due up for the Cubs to face Lyons.
End 3rd: Molina hits a lazy flyball that Bonifacio catches to end the inning. Nice job by Wood to get out of a jam there.
Bottom 3rd, 2 out: Craig hits a double to right. Cardinals have something brewing. Runners on 2nd and 3rd with Molina at the plate.
Bottom 3rd, 2 out: Wood walks Holliday. Runner on 1st with Craig coming to the plate.
Bottom 3rd, 2 out: Wood just missed on the outside. 3-2 to Holliday.
Holliday not happy with the strike zone early on in this one.
Great start to the inning by Wood. Now 1-1 to Holliday.
Bottom 3rd, 2 out: Peralta grounds out to Castro at short.
Bottom 3rd, 1 out: Carpenter lines out to Bonifacio in center.
Oh no. Miami Marlins RHP Jose Fernandez going down for the season. Needs Tommy John surgery. Terrible news.
Middle 3rd: That was a nice and easy 1,2,3 inning by Lyons.
Middle 3rd: Schierholtz pops out to Holliday in left to end the inning.
Top 3rd, 2 out: Lyons has Schierholtz with a 1-2 count.
Top 3rd, 2 out: Castillo grounds out to short.
Top 3rd, 1 out: Olt hits a high flyout to center that is caught by Bourgos.
End 2nd: We saw good Lake (homerun) and bad Lake all in one inning there.
End 2nd: Lake has a very strong throwing arm and was looking to get Molina at the plate. Completely missplayed the ball, and two runs score.
End 2nd: Lake is an incredibly talented player, but horrible defensive plays like that are becoming a far too often occurrence.
End 2nd: Wood strikes out Lyons to end the inning.
Bottom 2nd, 2 out: Ellis ends up on 3rd, and two runs score. 7-2 Cubs lead.
Bottom 2nd, 2 out: Ellis hits a single to left. Ball is misplayed by Lake.
Bottom 2nd, 2 out: Ellis stays alive with a foul ball. Still 1-2.
Bottom 2nd, 2 out: Wood just missed strike three on the outside. 1-2.
Bottom 2nd, 2 out: Fouled away by Ellis. 0-2 count.
Bottom 2nd, 2 out: Pitch gets away from Wood as he walks Bourjos. 1st and 2nd with 2 outs. Ellis to the plate.
Bottom 2nd, 2 out: Wood battling back. 3-2 count to Bourjos.
Bottom 2nd, 2 out: Bourjos taking all the way. 3-1 count.
Bottom 2nd, 2 out: 2-0 to the light-hitting Bourjos.
Bottom 2nd, 2 out: Adams flies out lazily to Lake in left. Runner on 1st, two outs.
Bottom 2nd, 1 out: Wood starts with a first pitch strike to Matt Adams.
Bottom 2nd, 1 out: Cubs killer Yadier Molina laces a single to left.
Bottom 2nd, 1 out: Wood strikes out Craig on three pitches to start the inning.
Middle 2nd: Great to see Lake and Olt going deep already tonight. Those two are very important players for this organization.
Middle 2nd: Cardinals may have to get into the bullpen early in this one.
Middle 2nd: Bats really coming alive for Renteria's team. North Siders have Lyons reeling early on.
Middle 2nd: Cubs lead 7-0 heading to the bottom of the 2nd inning.
Middle 2nd: Castro hits a lazy fly ball to Craig in RF to end the inning.
Wood legging out the infield single started all of this.
Top 2nd, 2 out: Now 7-0 Cubs, and Rizzo grounds out.
Top 2nd, 1 out: That ball was hammered by Lake. Absolutely destroyed!
Top 2nd, 1 out: Junior Lake crushes his 4th homerun to left field!
Top 2nd, 1 out: Bonifacio lines a single to left. Cubs are making life difficult for Lyons.
Top 2nd, 1 out: Wood legs out an infield single on a play at 3rd. Great hustle by the Cubs' pitcher.
Top 2nd, 1 out: Barney hits one to deep left-center. Tracked down by Bourjos.
End of the 1st: Wood is a great hitter for being a pitcher. Do not underestimate him in this inning.
End of the 1st: Barney, Wood, and Bonifacio up for the Cubs to start the 2nd inning.
End of the 1st: Wood gets Holliday looking with an outside fastball for strike three. Great start by Wood and the Cubs.
Bottom 1st, 2 outs: Holliday hits a ball just foul to first, 1-2 count.
Bottom 1st, 2 outs: Nice first pitch strike to Holliday by Wood. Next pitch is just outside. 1-1.
Bottom 1st, 2 outs: Peralta hits a high flyball to right that is caught by Schierholtz. Two up, two down.
Bottom 1st, 1 out: Carpenter flied out to Lake in left, one away.
Bottom 1st, 0 outs: Carpenter fouls one away to left. 1-2 to the 3rd baseman.
Bottom 1st, 0 outs: Wood starts things off with a fastball strike to Carpenter.
Middle 1st: With possible rain on its way, that was a huge first inning for the Cubs.
Middle 1st: Impressive first inning by the Cubs' offense. Now, it is up to Wood to hold on to this 4-0 lead.
Middle 1st: Schierholtz strikes out swinging to end the inning. Lyons had him completely overmatched during that at-bat.
Top 1st, 2 outs: Swing and a miss on a breaking ball. 1-2 to Schierholtz.
Top 1st, 2 outs: Schierholtz takes a first pitch strike from Lyons.
Top 1st, 2 outs: Castillo grounds out to 2nd baseman Ellis.
Rizzo, Castro and Olt are huge for this team in the middle of the order. They came to play on National TV tonight.
Cubs look great so far tonight. Really getting to Lyons early on.
Top 1st, 1 out: First pitch opposite field homerun for Mike Olt to make it 4-0 for the Cubs.
Top 1st, 1 out: Castro laces a triple to right field. Rizzo scores make it 2-0 Cubs.
Top 1st, 1 out: Rizzo drops one into left-field for a single. He has been so much better at taking the ball the other way this season. Castro to the plate.
Top 1st, 1 out: Rizzo attempts a bunt with the shift on. Fouls it away, 1-2 count.
Top 1st, 1 out: Passed ball by Molina, Bonifacio scores to give the Cubs a 1-0 lead.
Top 1st, 1 out: Runner on 3rd, only one out, and Anthony Rizzo is at the plate.
Top 1st, 1 out: Lake grounds out to second. Nice at-bat to get Bonifacio over.
Top 1st, 0 outs: Breaking ball gets away from Lyons, 2-2 to Lake.
Top 1st, 0 outs: Looks like Lake will be swinging away. 1-2 count.
Top 1st, 0 outs: Lake shows bunt on the first pitch and misses.
Top 1st, 0 outs: Bonifacio rips a nice double down the 3rd base line, Lake at-bat.
Top 1st, 0 outs: First pitch strike to Bonifacio, next pitch low. 1-1 count.
Pregame 7:10 The Cardinals take the field! We will be underway very soon!
Pregame 7:09 Tyler Lyons will get us started with the first pitch soon. Bonifacio, Lake, and Rizzo lead things off for the Cubs, with Castro coming to the plate if anybody reaches.
Pregame 7:07 Cubs at Cardinals will be underway soon. Weather looks to be clear for now.
Pregame 6:58 Cubs' right fielder Nate Schierholtz is hitting .172 against lefites this season. It is easy to question manager Rick Renteria's decision to start Schierholtz tonight, but with a limit bench, there were not many options available.
Pregame 6:49 Cubs' 3rd baseman Mike Olt has looked much more comfortable at the plate recently. He is a patient hitter with impressive power skills. Olt has a chance to make a mark on national television tonight. His .176 batting average is very unimpressive, but Olt has huge upside, and will be an interesting guy to look tonight, and throughout the rest of the season.
Pregame 6:43 After an All-Star 2013 campain, Wood has been very inconsistent this season. Two starts ago, Wood faced the Cardinals at Wrigley Field and pitched seven strong innings, giving up two earned runs, six hits, striking out six batters, and did not allow a walk. His last start against the Chicago White Sox was his worst of the season. Wood took the loss after giving up eight earned runs in four innings pitched. It will be interesting to see which pitcher shows up tonight.
Pregame 6:37 They have been inconsistent, but the Cubs' bullpen is showing a lot of promise. Led by Justin Grimm, Neil Ramirez, Brian Schlitter, and closer Hector Rondon, the Cubs have some hard throwing pitchers in their bullpen who are very dangerous.
Pregame 6:26 Rain is in the forecast in St. Louis tonight as thunderstorms continue to hit the Midwest. Hopefully they stay away long enough for the Cubs and Cardinals to play nine innings!
Pregame 6:22 While the Cardinals have not had the start to the season that they expected, the team is in a completely different place than the Cubs. This team is obviously in win-now mode, and they certainly contenders in the National League Central.
Pregame 6:20 With their early seasons struggles, the Cubs appear to be heading towards another long losing season. While the system is stocked with impressive young talent, the MLB team leaves plenty to be desired. Progression of the young players on the MLB roster is more important right now than wins and losses. While looking the game tonight, keep an eye out for Castro, Rizzo, Olt, Lake, and Castillo as they are important young pieces for the future of this organization.
Pregame 6:14 Adams and Molina are leading the way for the Cardinals' offense, hitting .310/.327/.451 and .304/.331/.452 respectively. While he is only hitting .242 Peralta leads the Cardinals with 8 homeruns. As usual, Holliday is as solid as ever hitting .275 with a .366 on-base percentage, but his .373 slugging percentage leaves plenty to be desired. Keeping these three under control will be a huge key for Wood as he looks to get back on track.
Pregame 6:08 Rizzo and Castro lead the way for the Cubs' offense, as both are having solid starts to the year, after struggling last season. Castro is hitting .282/.329/.444 with 5 homeruns and 16 RBI so far this season. He looks much more comfortable at the plate, and appears to be getting back on track. Rizzo is hitting .285/.401/.485 on this young season with 7 homeruns and 18 RBI. Rizzo is showing impressive plate discipline and patience, while not being afraid to crush a hittable pitch. He is also doing a great job of going the other way this season, which is a big reason for his success.
Pregame 6:03 This will be the first of a four game series between the Cubs and Cardinals, taking place at Busch Stadium in St. Louis. The season series is tied 3-3, with both teams winning two of three at their home stadium.
Pregame 6:00 Now, the lineup that manager Mike Matheny will trot out to face Wood and the Cubs. Matt Carpenter 3B, Jhonny Peralta SS, Matt Holliday LF, Allen Craig RF, Yadier Molina C, Matt Adams 1B, Peter Bourjos CF, Mark Ellis 2B, and Lyons on the mound.
Pregame 5:54 Here is the lineup that the Cubs will bring out to face Lyons tonight: Emilio Bonifacio CF, Junior Lake LF, Anthony Rizzo 1B, Starlin Castro SS, Mike Olt 3B, Welington Castillo C, Nate Schierholtz RF, Darwin Barney 2B, and Wood on the mound.
Pregame 5:50 The Cardinals have a record of 19-19, and they turn to young lefty Tyler Lyons in this one. In five total games pitched, including three starts this season, Lyons enters tonight with a 0-2 record and 3.43 ERA.
Pregame 5:47 The Cubs enter tonight's game with a record of 12-24. They are riding a current three game losing streak, and have also lost seven out of thier eight games. Travis Wood takes the mound for the Cubs tonight. The 27-year-old LHP is 2-4 with a 4.75 ERA heading into this game. He will look to get back on track tonight against the Cardinals.
Pregame 5:41 Hello, and welcome to the Live coverage of the Chicago Cubs versus the St. Louis Cardinals. My name is Dan Schmelzer, and I will be bringing you play-by-play results of this match-up between two heated rivals. The game is being broadcasted live on ESPN tonight, and is scheduled to start at 7:00 Central Time.