Cardinals take early lead, hold on for 4-3 victory to avoid Cubs sweep

CHICAGO The Cardinals asserted their intentions early with two first-inning home runs and then held on and survived late challenges from the rival Cubs to win Sunday.

In a tense, tightly played game that brought a little bit of October to the North Side on an afternoon in September, the Cardinals edged the Cubs, 4-3. Right fielder Jason Heyward had a throw from right field that cut down what would have been the tying run at home plate in the bottom of the eighth. The win allowed the Cardinals to take the final game of a three-game visit to Wrigley Field that was otherwise owned by the Cubs. The Cardinals extended their lead to six games over the third-place Cubs.

Rookies Stephen Piscotty and Tommy Pham each hit home runs in the first inning to push the Cardinals to an early lead they would not relinquish.

Trevor Rosenthal completed his 46th save.

The Cubs had a chance in the eighth inning to reverse the score and alter the shape of this series. It was given them by the Cardinals, gift-wrapped with charitable walks.

The two batters that Kevin Siegrist faced in the eighth both reached, the final one on a walk. Rather than go immediately to closer Trevor Rosenthal when the game was in jeopardy and the middle of the Cubs’ order up, manager Mike Matheny turned to Jonathan Broxton. The Cardinals strapping reliever did not retire either of the batters he faced. He walked Kris Bryant. He walked Tommy La Stella to bring home the Cubs’ third run.

The Cardinals had gone to two relievers and now suddenly had the bases loaded against them, no outs, and the tying run at third base.

This was a Houdini of all Houdinis.

So, Matheny went to his escape artist.

Seth Maness didn’t do the normal way, but he got the double play that he’s expected to produce. Rookie Addison Russell lifted a ball to right-center field. Heyward called off center fielder Tommy Pham and camped a few steps behind where he would catch the ball. He stepped forward, caught the ball, and unleashed a strike to the plate. The Cubs sent Anthony Rizzo in hopes of tying the game. Heyward’s throw beat him by two strides, and Yadier Molina applied the swipe tag for the double play.

Molina whipped off his mitt as Rizzo had collided with his wrist, but he remained in the game after being tended to by the team’s athletic trainer. Rosenthal entered to end the inning and start a four-out save.

The Cardinals pinch-hit for Molina in the ninth, and Tony Cruz caught the bottom of the ninth. With nobody out, Cruz threw out pinch-runner Quintin Berry attempting to steal. Rosenthal then struck out pinch-hitter Javier Soler and retired Kyle Schwarber on a groundout.

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