Matt Adams’ first misadventure in left field, where he started for the first time in a regular season game Thursday, contributed to a Chicago run in the sixth inning as the Cubs cut the Cardinals’ lead to 4-2 at Busch Stadium.
Adams, whose single drove in one of the three Cardinals’ runs in the first innings, jumped for and missed Anthony Rizzo’s slicing liner to deep left in the sixth inning. Adams toppled to the ground as center fielder Dexter Fowler retrieved the ball and Rizzo pulled in at second with a double.
Rizzo went to third on Ben Zobrist’s groundout and manager Mike Matheny pulled starter Lance Lynn after 98 pitches.