Cubs shortstop makes friends with “Nacho Man” by crashing into stands

No National League team has won consecutive World Series titles since Cincinnati in 1975 and 1976.

“I’ve signed more nacho trays than I’ve ever seen in my life”, Gudermurth said. “Obviously, the first one gave us some concern”.

Russell had to wipe quite a bit of cheese off of his arms afterward, and the grounds crew spent a good while figuring out how to remove dirt-caked nachos from the field. “It’s an important day, and it’s another big series”.

NOTES: Jose Quintana’s shutout Sunday at Milwaukee was the Cubs’ first by a lefty since Rich Hill had one on September 16, 2006, in a 4-0 victory over Cincinnati. The Cubs’ first pitch is 7:15 p.m.in St. Louis against the Cardinals.

Andrew Gudermuth of Sikeston was hoping to get a foul ball when he had front row tickets down the third base line at Busch Stadium for Monday’s Cardinals-Cubs game. After a win over the Cubs on July 8, they were 55-30 and 8.5 games up on Chicago in the division.

Gyorko and Dexter Fowler combined for five of the Cardinals’ six hits.

Zach Davies gets the start for Milwaukee in the series opener.

For a long time, everyone was chasing the Cardinals.

Bryant hit his 29th home run of the season in the second with two outs for a 5-0 Cubs lead. We’re in postseason mode right now, and we intend to continue that for the next month.

But Russell, being the gentleman that he is, made up for it.

“That was pretty entertaining”, Cubs Manager Joe Maddon said. “He looks like a capable swing guy – swing relief, spot starter, or maybe better than that”. His ERA ballooned from 2.05 to 3.23 and only 39 of his 65 pitchers got thrown for strikes.

Pitching for Chicago will be Jake Arrieta (14-9, 3.43 ERA), while Carlos Martinez (12-11, 3.63) will be on the hill for the Cardinals.