ST.LOUIS -- The Chicago Cubs lost to the St. Louis Cardinals, 3-2, in 10 innings on Friday night. Here’s a quick look at the game.
How it happened: Mike Baxter threw a ball away when Jhonny Peralta grounded it to him in the 10th with the bases loaded after Peter Bourjos opened the inning with a double off reliever Justin Grimm. Greg Garcia tied the game 2-2 with his first career home run in the eighth inning off of Pedro Strop, who didn't have his good stuff. Kris Bryant hit a sacrifice fly to give the Cubs their first lead in the seventh inning as Dexter Fowler scored after leading off with a double to center. Anthony Rizzo got him to third on a ground out before Bryant hit a high fly ball to centerfield.
The Cardinals scored first, in the second inning, as Randal Grichuk tripled home Yadier Molina. But for the second inning in a row the Cubs threw out a runner at the plate, as Rizzo nailed Grichuk on a ground ball by Jon Jay. The Cubs tied the game in the fourth when Baxter brought home Miguel Montero, but the Cubs left the bases loaded when Fowler hit a soft liner to second to end the inning. Jake Arrieta got through some quick innings to keep his pitch count down, as he lasted seven while giving up just three hits and two walks.
What it means: It's hard to put this one on the bullpen as they've been lights out so the focus turns to the offense, which left 12 men on base and has been struggling to score. The Cubs dropped to 18-13 in one-run games and continue to lead the majors in the amount of one-run games.
Arrieta was in some trouble early in the game but he settled down after a visit by pitching coach Chris Bosio in the second inning. More than any other starter Arrieta has the ability to shorten the game for the bullpen with those quick innings, which were especially needed coming off a game where he threw 122 pitches. He was fantastic once again.
Baxter has come through more often than you might think -- he added two more hits later in the game -- and along with his RBI he went into the stands in right field to catch a foul ball. He’s been useful, but the error was a bad one as he couldn't get the ball out of his glove. He's normally an outfielder but was brought into the infield for the bases-loaded situation.
Soler on the mend: Before the game outfielder Jorge Soler was seen running the bases as he tested his injured ankle. Both the training and medical staff watched as he ran from home to first as well as between the bases. Maddon said he could be days away from a minor-league rehab stint.
What’s next: Game 2 of the series takes place on Saturday evening, when righty Donn Roach makes his Cubs debut against Michael Wacha (9-3, 2.85).