Anthony Rizzo celebrates his home run as Tony Cruz looks on (photo/MLB)

Anthony Rizzo celebrates his home run as Tony Cruz looks on (photo/MLB)

Mark Reynolds hit a two-run homer in the top of the ninth inning, but Jason Motte, the former Cardinals closer, got the final two outs for the Cubs, saving their 7-4 win in game one this afternoon at Wrigley Field.

I said this could be a taxing day for the bullpen. The Cardinals starters Tyler Lyons and Tim Cooney have had problems finishing six innings. That was the case in this game for Lyons who went 5.1 innings, and was charged with three runs. The real damage came in the eighth, as the Cubs scored four times, Anthony Rizzo with a two-run homer off Randy Choate.  Choate was charged with three runs.

Chris Denorfia had two hits and drove in three runs as Chicago won for the third time in 11 games against the Cardinals. He gave the Cubs 2-0 lead with a two-run single in the third off Lyons who falls to 2-1.