CHICAGO -- An opportunity for the Cardinals to creep closer to the Cubs in the National League Central dissolved within a matter of five pitches on Saturday. The sequence saw a promising offensive opportunity quashed, to which the Cubs channeled the momentum into a two-run inning that sent things in the wrong direction for the Cardinals. They never recovered in a 7-2 loss in Game 1 of their Wrigley Field doubleheader.
The Cubs ambushed Cards starter Luke Weaver for three singles off his first four pitches in the fifth to reclaim a lead that Matt Carpenter had earlier erased with one swing.