ST. LOUIS — In a commanding display of offense, the Chicago Cubs defeated the St. Louis Cardinals 9-1 on Saturday at Busch Stadium. Michael Busch played a key role in the Cubs’ victory, hitting a three-run homer in the second inning, which showcased a significant turnaround after the team’s shutout loss the previous night.
Busch took advantage of a hanging slider from Cardinals pitcher Andre Pallante, sending a line drive into the right-field stands to give the Cubs a 5-0 lead. “We know what we’re capable of,” Busch stated, emphasizing the team’s commitment to performing at their best regardless of previous outcomes.
The win allowed the Cubs to tie the series against the Cardinals, although they did not gain ground on the Milwaukee Brewers, who continued their winning streak by defeating the Mets, maintaining a five-game lead in the National League Central division. Milwaukee remains undefeated in August, having won eight straight games.
After Friday’s contest, where the Cubs made hard contact but failed to capitalize, Saturday was a different story. The Cubs consistently found ways to rally, with players showcasing their hitting prowess. “The consistency of hard contact has been a hallmark of our lineup all year,” said Ian Happ, reflecting on the team’s ability to maintain a positive mindset even during challenging stretches.
Busch initiated the first rally with a sharp line drive, followed by Kyle Tucker’s RBI single. Carson Kelly also contributed three hits during the game, leading to a series of runs. Busch’s home run marked his sixth against the Cardinals this season, making him the first Cub to achieve such a feat since Derrek Lee in 2005.
The Cubs scored as many runs in the first two innings of this game as they had in their last two games combined. After removing Pallante from the game in the second inning, the Cardinals struggled to contain the Cubs’ offense as Shaw added an RBI triple and a solo home run later in the game.
Starting pitcher Colin Rea delivered a solid performance, allowing just one run and three hits over six innings, further easing the pressure on the Cubs with their early scoring.
With their offensive resurgence, the Cubs are hopeful that this game marks the beginning of a positive trend as they move forward in the series.