The Cubs put up another flat effort Thursday night after winning a series against the Washington Nationals. Sloppy defense and a bad outing from Marcus Stroman handed the rival Cardinals a relatively easy victory.
Patrick Wisdom whiffed on a ground ball to third from Nolan Arenado to extend the 1st inning for former Cub Willson Contreras, who hit an RBI double to put the Cardinals ahead 1-0. Stroman had far from his best stuff Thursday but used a couple double plays to escape jams in the 2nd and 3rd.
The Chicago starter’s good luck ran out in the top of the 4th inning, beginning with a two-run homer off the bat of Jordan Walker.