AP Photo/Jeff Roberson
The St. Louis Cardinals chase Stroman early and defeated the Chicago Cubs 7-2 on Thursday night. It was their sixth straight victory and their ninth win in their last eleven games.
Strong Performance by Matz
The beginning of Steven Matz‘s tenure in St. Louis has been a rocky one, to say the least. After an injury plagued 2022 season, Matz has been ineffective in the 2023 season so far. Because of his struggles, Matz has bounced between the rotation and bullpen. Seemingly, he had everything working Thursday night. He established the inside fastball early and had his off-speed pitches working beautifully. The approach kept the Cubs’ hitters off balance. He allowed allowed only one run and three hits in five innings pitched. The strong performance garnered Matz his first win since 9/17/22 versus the Cincinnati Reds.
Contreras Gets Things Going Early
Contreras loves playing the villain against the Cubs. He entered the contest with a .368 average versus his former squad. The trend would continue in the top of the first. Following an infield single by Goldschmidt and Arenado reaching on an error, Contreras blasted a 114 mph line drive off of the ivy in left-field. Getting the Cardinals off to a one run lead to start the game.
Cardinals Chase Stroman in the 4th
Stroman’s struggles versus the Cardinals this season continued in Thursday’s match-up. However, it wasn’t all on him. The Cubs sloppy defensive play didn’t help matters. Stroman lasted just 3 2/3 innings. The right-hander was charged with five runs,four earned, and allowed seven hits. He struck out four and walked four.
The Cardinals added four more runs in the fourth. Rookie phenom Jordan Walker hit his ninth homer off a hanging slider after a Tyler O’Neill double. Arenado then added a two-run double. That was the end of Stroman’s night as the Cardinals chased him from the game after only 3 and 2/3 innings.
The Cardinals continued to pour it on in the fifth. Shortstop Paul DeJong made it 7-1 when he connected in the fifth against reliever Michael Rucker . DeJong’s 13th homer went into the basket in right-center. That would be the end of the scoring for the Cardinals as Assad entered the game for Cubs and stopped the onslaught, saving their bullpen in the process.
Tough Night for Wisdom
Cubs third baseman and former Cardinals farm hand Patrick Wisdom had a tough night. In the first inning, he kept the inning alive by committing an error on an Arenado grounder. Additionally, he added a second error when he overthrew second an inning later.
There also was a scary moment in the seventh, when Kyle Leahy’s pitch struck Wisdom on the back of his helmet. Thankfully, he was okay, got up, and went to first after he was visited by a trainer.
Cardinals Look to Continue Streak
The surging Cardinals will look to continue their winning streak on Friday. Jack Flaherty and Justin Steele are set to match up in the next contest.
