The Cubs defeated the Cardinals 6-3, mainly on the strength of a wild second inning that saw them pull off two consecutive squeeze plays. The Cardinals had something to do with their success, botching up a double play off the bat of Austin Jackson, allowing him to more or less walk into third base on a steal, then throwing away the first bunt off the bat of Kyle Hendricks. Jorge Soler put the final nail in the coffin with a long home run.
I liked the lineup much better today even though Castro was still batting fifth. Actually it was his single that started the rally. However, aside from the gutsy base-running and canny small ball, Soler was the big hero. Hate to say I told you so. I'd like to see this guy start the remainder of the series, especially as Bryant and Rizzo are pressing right now.
You have to like the team's chances now with Arrieta starting Monday evening's game.
Nice to see the Cardinals can seriously mess up an inning like everyone else after hearing all the reverent praise from the national announcers.
Hendricks pitched quite well, I thought, and he was certainly a wise choice over Jason Hammel, who looks set to start Game 4. In an ordinary game, Captain Hook would probably not have pulled him with a three run lead, but in the playoffs it is hard to argue with the decision. Why on Earth Montero called for the hanging curve for the second home run is anyone's guess. I mean, Hendricks just does not have a great curve and I think that was the first one he had thrown in the entire game.
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