Chicago Cubs catcher Miguel Montero shakes the hand of pitcher Hector Rondon after the third out and a 9-8 win over the St. Louis Cardinals at Busch Stadium in St. Louis on May 25, 2016. Photo by Bill Greenblatt/UPI
Jake Arrieta remained unbeaten despite giving up four runs for the first time this season and the Chicago Cubs held off the Cardinals 9-8 on Wednesday. Arrieta (9-0) joined the White Sox’s Chris Sale as the only nine-game winners in the majors.
The Cardinals scored two runs in the first two innings…that was more than what the Angels, Rockies, Reds, Brewers and Pirates could score off Arrieta combined in 36 innings this season.
Kris Bryant hit a three-run homer and Jason Heyward and Ben Zobrist each drove in two for the Cubs. Matt Holliday hit a three run homer to match Bryant’s to make it a 7-5 game. Matt Adams hit a solo homer to later close the gap to 9-8.
Carlos Martinez allowed six runs in the second inning. It was the second game in a row a starting pitcher gave up six in one frame.