Matt Holliday hit a two-run homer off Carlos Marmol to put the Cardinals up 2-1 in the eighth inning, but the Cubs responded with one in the ninth and another in the tenth to steal a 3-2 win Tuesday night at Wrigley Field.
The first point to bring up is that Adam Wainwright had his best start by far. After a leadoff double by David DeJesus to start the game that led to Chicago’s first run, Wainwright settled in from that point on. Proof that Wainwright may be getting closer to his old form came in the fourth when the Cubs put runners on second and third with no outs. Wainwright got Ian Stewart and Darwin Barney to strikeout. Then after walking a batter, got pitcher Jeff Samardizja to fly out with the bases loaded. Wainwright went six innings, allowing six hits and a walk while striking out seven.
Samardizja was equally as impressive, tossing 6.2 innings allowing four hits, two walks and nine strikeouts. Despite not putting up much of a threat, the Cardinals were set up for the win.
Matt Holliday, only hitting .215 appears to be coming around. He hit a two run homer with two outs after the Cubs’ closer came into the game.
In the ninth, Bryan LaHair homered off Mark Rzepczynski tying the game at 2-2. In the tenth, manager Mike Matheny got kicked out for arguing a safe call on a steal by Tony Campana at second base. Campana would score the winning run when Alfonso Soriano singled off the glove of second baseman Tyler Greene and into center field off Fernando Salas.
The loss meant it was the first series loss for the Cardinals in 13 tries. The two teams wrap up the series on Wednesday afternoon.