Rookies lead way as Cubs win 8–6 in NLDS Game 3 vs. Cardinals
The Chicago Cubs defeated the St. Louis Cardinals 8–6 on Monday night to take a 2–1 lead in the NLDS.
The scoring started in the bottom of the second inning when Cubs rookie Kyle Schwarber hit a solo shot to leftfield off Cardinals starter Michael Wacha.
St. Louis rebounded with two runs in the fourth against Cubs starter Jake Arrieta to take a 2–1 lead.
Chicago second baseman Starlin Castro later tied the game at two in the home half of the fourth with a solo shot to centerfield that traveled 414 feet. The big blasts continued for the Cubs, as rookie Kris Bryant and Anthony Rizzo went back-to-back with a two-run and a solo shot to put Chicago up by three runs in the fifth.
The Cardinals narrowed the deficit to one run in the sixth, when Jason Heyward responded with a two-run home run into the leftfield bleachers.
Rookie Jorge Soler continued his series-long hot-hitting with a two-run home run in the sixth to put the Cubs up 7–4. Dexter Fowler added to the scoring with a solo shot in the eighth to give Chicago an 8–4 lead, as well as a postseason record with six home runs on Monday night.
Stephen Piscotty added a two-out, two-run home run for the Cardinals in the ninth, but Cubs closer Hector Rondon sealed the victory by getting Matt Holliday to ground out to second base to end the game.
Arrieta earned the win after surrendering five hits, four earned runs, nine strikeouts and two walks in 5 2/3 innings.
Wacha, who took the loss, gave up three home runs in 4 1/3 innings with six hits, four earned runs, three walks and five strikeouts.
The Cardinals will face elimination in Game 4 on Tuesday afternoon at Wrigley Field.
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- Kayla Lombardo
