Carlos Martinez (photo/MLB)
After announcing his retirement at the end of the season, Cubs catcher David Ross responded to his second standing ovation at the plate by delivering a solo home run off Carlos Martinez. That broke a scoreless tie and helped the Cubs defeat the Cardinals 3-1 on Sunday night.
The loss keeps the Cardinals 1/2 game behind San Francisco and 1.5 games behind the Mets for the two Wild Card spots. The Cardinals lost for the third time in four games.
“I think we’re in a good position right now,” pitcher Carlos Martinez said through a translator. “I also think we have a great shot at winning the World Series.”
Martinez was outpitched by Jon Lester who struck out seven in 6 2/3 innings. He allowed three hits and walked one while improving to 10-0 with 1.34 ERA in his last 13 starts.
The Cardinals pulled within one on Jhonny Peralta’s two-out RBI single in the eighth off Justin Grimm, but Brandon Moss flied to center with runners on the corners. Willson Contreras added with an RBI single in the bottom of the eighth and the Cardinals were stymied once again by Aroldis Chapman who closed the ninth for his 16th save.
The Cardinals finish the season at home with four against the Reds starting Monday night and ending with a three game weekend series with the Pirates.