CHICAGO — Before things really tilted toward Wrigley Weird – trademark pending – the Cardinals got just enough from two pitchers in their first starts of the season to make it possible, when they had a lead, to deploy the bullpen exactly as designed.
And when that didn’t even work, there was always Brendan Donovan.
Despite their top right-handed relievers lined up for use, as scripted, the Cardinals lost a lead and missed offensively on two bases-loaded chances late in the night game of a doubleheader Saturday against the Cubs. Rookie Donovan, who claimed the lead six innings earlier, delivered his second two-run double of the game to break a tie and ignite a four-run 10th inning.