The Chicago Cubs are one step closer to winning their first World Series since 1908.
The Cubs defeated the St. Louis Cardinals 6-4 to clinch the NLDS and advance to the NLCS.
The Cubs were carried by home runs, as three different players went yard. The biggest blast was by Kyle Schwarber, on a shot that left the confines of Wrigley Field.
The Cardinals took an early 2-0 run lead in the first inning thanks to a 2-run homer by Stephen Piscotty. The Cubs plated four runs in the second inning. Pitcher Jason Hammel helped his own cause by driving in a run and Javier Baez then drove in three with a blast to right field. The Cubs held that lead until the sixth inning, when Tony Cruz and Brandon Moss drove in runs for St. Louis. The Cubs took back the lead in the bottom of the same inning when Anthony Rizzo fired a solo shot. Schwarber added to the lead in the seventh a solo homer of his own.
The Cubs used 8 different pitchers in the contest. Hammel went the longest, going 3 innings and giving up three hits, three walks and two earned runs. Trevor Cahill gave up the tying run in the sixth, but was credited with the win after the Cubs took the lead back. Hector Rondon pitched a scoreless inning of relief for the win.
Cardinals' starter John Lackey struggled, going 3 innings and giving up four runs on four hits and a walk. Adam Wainwright pitched two scoreless innings of relief. Kevin Siegrist was tagged with the loss after allowing the go-ahead run. He gave up the run in the seventh as well.
The Cubs will face the winner of the Mets-Dodgers series. It is the first time the Cubs will play in the NLCS since Steve Bartman. The Mets lead 2-1 and the two teams play Tuesday Night.
Back to the Chicago Cubs Newsfeed