Tuesday’s Game Report: Cardinals 6, Cubs 0
By Rob Rains
Yadier Molina was back, and at least for one night, all was right for the Cardinals on Tuesday night at Busch Stadium.
Adam Wainwright worked seven scoreless innings and Dylan Carlson, Paul Goldschmidt and Nolan Arenado all homered in the win over the Cubs.
The win for Wainwright was the 192nd of his career as he and Molina reached 317 games as a starting battery, moving into sole possession of second place on the all-time list. It was Molina’s first game since June 15 as he had been on the injured list for inflammation in his knees.
Here is how the game broke down:
At the plate: Goldschmidt hit his 25th homer and also drove in two runs with a single that put the Cardinals up 2-0 in the third … A two-run homer from Carlson increased the lead to 4-0 in the fifth before Goldschmidt and Arenado hit solo shots, the 20th of the year for Arenado …Lars Nootbaar had three singles and also reached on a walk.
On the mound: Wainwright, Jordan Hicks and newcomer Chris Stratton combined for the shutout, the second by the Cardinals in their last two games … Wainwright allowed six hits, did not walk a batter and struck out four … Only one Cubs runner reached third base, when Willson Contreras tripled with two outs in the third … Hicks worked the eighth and Stratton, obtained from the Pirates on Monday night, pitched around a leadoff single in the ninth to complete the shut out in the ninth.
Key stat: The Cardinals have hit at least two home runs in their last five games and at least one home run in their last 11 games, one game shy of their longest streak of the season.
Worth noting: The Cardinals optioned Junior Fernandez to Memphis to open a spot on the roster for Stratton … Tyler O’Neill missed his third consecutive game because of a leg cramp, although he was able to take batting practice … Catcher Austin Romine was traded to the Reds for cash considerations after he had been designated for assignment with Molina returning … The Cardinals also made a minor-league trade on Tuesday, obtaining catcher Austin Allen from Oakland for righthanded pitcher Carlos Guarate, who was at Class A Palm Beach … The Cardinals top prospect, Jordan Walker, played left field for the first time for Double A Springfield on Tuesday night. He is expected to get reps at all three outfield positions the rest of the season as he makes the move away from third base.
Looking ahead: Mikes Mikolas will get the start on Wednesday night while Jose Quintana will make his Cardinals debut starting on Thursday night.
Follow Rob Rains on Twitter @RobRains
