Louis Cardinals Avoid Sweep With 4-3 Win Over Chicago Cubs

Manager Mike Matheny delivered a “quick talk” to his players to recognize their franchise-record fifth straight trip to the postseason.

The NL Central-leading Cardinals were unable to get a victory they need to clinch a playoff berth.

The Cubs were trying for their first sweep of St. Louis since 2010 and are now two games behind the Pittsburgh Pirates, winners at the Los Angeles Dodgers on Sunday, for the first wild card spot. The Cubs are comfortably in position for a wild card.

It’s ironic that Sam wrote about narratives this morning, because every time I’m responsible for writing a recap, I have to think of what my narrative for that game is going to be.

Rookies Stephen Piscotty and Tommy Pham each hit home runs in the first inning to push the Cardinals to an early lead they would not relinquish. Cubs closer Hector Rondon got tossed for hitting Greg Garcia to lead off the ninth inning, continuing the game of beanball the two squads have been playing the last couple of days. Adding to the heat of the first inning was pitcher Carlos Martinez, who was clearly hyped for today’s ballgame.

This blog does not do justice to the intensity of yesterday’s game between these two rival teams.

Pineda (11-8) allowed four singles in 5 1-3 innings to win for just the second time since the All-Star break. In the eighth, they loaded the bases with no outs. The Colorado starter has allowed a majors-most 32 home runs despite spending six weeks on the disabled list with right shoulder inflammation.

MINNEAPOLIS – Los Angeles had no run-scoring hits but pieced together enough offense over 12 innings to beat Minnesota in the first game of a day-night doubleheader. The Cardinals strapping reliever did not retire either of the batters he faced. Huston Street earned his 37th save.

Carpenter homered off Zac Rosscup to cut it to 5-3.

Cano’s 17th homer, a three-run drive in the fifth, put the Mariners up 7-2 and chased Derek Holland (3-3). But Holliday continues to improve slowly from a right quadriceps strain that sidelined him for 41 games.

Harper entered the day leading the NL in homers, batting average and runs.

The two batters that Kevin Siegrist faced in the eighth both reach, the final one on a walk. Tony Watson and Mark Melancon followed with flawless innings of relief, and Melancon got his 48th save.

In San Francisco, Patrick Corbin pitched seven sharp innings and helped his own cause with an RBI single.

Police conducting a raid at a suspected drug dealer’s home south of Boston made an unusual discovery – a stolen 2004 Red Sox World Series ring. David Hernandez and Josh Collmenter finished the Diamondbacks’ 11th shutout of the season. He tied a career high with 14 strikeouts in his last start. Second baseman Kolten Wong was struck by Trevor Cahill in the sixth inning, and he was hit again by Fernando Rodney in the eighth. The 23-year-old Dominican struck out nine and limited the Brewers to one run and four hits in a no-decision.

So, Matheny went to his escape artist.