The Chicago Cubs set a new MLB record with six home runs in their 8-6 victory over the St. Louis Cardinals on Monday night. The first five homers came from five different players, which is also a new record.
The Cubbies now have a 2-1 lead in the NLDS and could reach their first NLCS since 2003 with a win on Tuesday.
With Jake Arrieta on the mound tonight, the Cubs probably didn't think they would need a whole lot of run production. However, Arrieta logged his worst start since June 16 and surrendered four earned runs on five hits and two walks.
Rookie Kyle Schwarber got the party started once again with a solo home run in the second inning, but Cardinals shortstop Jhonny Peralta hit an RBI double and outfielder Tommy Pham added an RBI groundout in the fourth to take the 2-1 lead.
St. Louis snapped Arrieta's 34 scoreless innings streak (which began on Sept. 16) and it was the first time he gave up more than one run in an inning since July 30.
But Arrieta's early struggles didn't discourage this young Cubs team. Chicago added three home runs from Starlin Castro, Kris Bryant and Anthony Rizzo in the fourth and fifth innings to go up 5-2.
Arrieta then faltered again and gave up a two-run homer to Cardinals outfielder Jason Heyward in the sixth, which cut the deficit to one run.
Still, that didn't affect the Cubs' morale. Outfielder Jorge Soler lined a two-run home run in the sixth to answer Heyward's blast and then Dexter Fowler added a solo shot in the eighth for the 8-4 lead.
Chicago's bullpen did a solid job up until Hector Rondon surrendered a two-run home run to rookie Stephen Piscotty with two outs in the ninth. Clayton Richard, Trevor Cahill, Travis Wood and Pedro Strop combined for 2 1/3 scoreless innings in the win, but Rondon was charged with two earned runs despite finishing out the win.
Cardinals right-hander Michael Wacha had yet another lackluster start against the Cubs this season. He allowed four earned runs on six hits and three walks over just 4 1/3 innings, including three long balls to Schwarber, Castro and Bryant. Every reliever that followed Wacha gave up one earned run, including Adam Wainwright, who let up a run on three hits in 1 2/3 innings. Kevin Siegrist, Seth Maness and Jonathan Broxton were the others that fell victim to the Cubs' offense.
In five starts against Chicago this season, Wacha has allowed at least four earned runs in every outing except for one. He's now 1-3 with a 7.11 ERA in those contests.
It's likely right-hander Jason Hammel will start for the Cubs tomorrow at 4:37 p.m. ET at Wrigley Field because manager Joe Maddon said he doesn't think they'll go with left-hander Jon Lester on three days rest (he threw 115 pitches in Game 1).
However, John Lackey could get the nod for St. Louis on short rest because the Cardinals are now playing with their backs against the wall.
Tomorrow's Game 4 matchup will be broadcasted on TBS. The Cubs will head to the NLCS with a victory while a Cardinals' win would force a Game 5 at Busch Stadium later in the week.
*Note: Addison Russell left the game in the fourth inning after suffering an apparent hamstring injury. His status for Game 4 is not yet known.
