The Cubs and Cards got together for the first of 15 meetings this season, and if last night’s game was any indication, it is going to be a barn-burner the rest of the way.
Skip Schumaker provided all the drama the game would need, delivering a walk-off homer in the bottom of the 11th, to give the Redbirds a 5-3 win over the North Siders. It was the first game-ending home run of Schumaker’s major league career.
It took 11 innings to decide the contest thanks to Alfonso Soriano’s two-run long ball in the 9th off Jason Isringhausen; that blast tied the game. The blown save was Isringhausen’s third in his last seven appearances. He sports a 13.50 ERA during that span.
Aaron Miles singled to lead off the bottom half of the 11th, and with one out was on third when the Cards’ right fielder came to the plate. He promptly drove the first pitch he saw from the Cubs’ Chad Fox (0-1) over the wall in right field to give the Redbirds the victory.
Ron Villone (1-0) picked up the win, taking over for Isringhausen and working the final two and a third innings for St. Louis.
Lost in Schumaker’s late inning heroics was another good performance from Adam Wainright. After throwing 126 pitches in his last start, the ace went six and a third innings, allowing just one run while striking out five.
