The Sports Xchange
Sep 27, 2017
ST. LOUIS -- One big inning put the Chicago Cubs back in the postseason.
Scoring five runs in the top of the seventh inning, Chicago knocked off the St. Louis Cardinals 5-1 Wednesday night to wrap up its second consecutive National League Central title.
Addison Russell wiped out a 1-0 deficit with one swing, cracking a three-run homer down the left field line to spoil a good game from Cardinals pitcher Michael Wacha.
Jason Heyward and pinch hitter Tommy La Stella each added RBI doubles as seven straight Cubs reached base to start the inning.
John Lackey (12-11) stifled St. Louis (82-76) on two hits and a run over six innings, walking two and striking out three. Five relievers finished up for Chicago (89-69), which will play the Nationals in an NL Division Series starting on Oct. 6 in Washington.
Wacha (12-9) allowed seven hits and five runs in six-plus innings with a walk and eight strikeouts. The Cardinals are one loss or one Colorado win away from being eliminated from NL wild-card consideration.
They would miss the playoffs for the second straight year after being in the postseason 12 of the previous 15 seasons.
St. Louis initiated scoring in the bottom of the second inning. After Jedd Gyorko walked and Jose Martinez singled, Paul DeJong looped a single over shortstop Russell to plate Gyorko from second. Gyorko got a good read on the ball directly in front of him and scored without a throw.
Otherwise, pitching dominated early. Lackey, who usually throws good games in Busch Stadium, gave up just those two hits through five innings.
But Wacha stifled the Cubs on just two hits -- both Jon Jay singles -- and fanned seven with no walks through five innings.
NOTES: Chicago 2B Javier Baez (left knee) was back in the lineup Wednesday night. Baez didn't start Tuesday night after leaving the Monday night game in the eighth inning after fouling a pitch off his knee. ... St. Louis C Yadier Molina missed his second straight start after taking consecutive foul balls off the mask Monday night. The team is hopeful that he will return on Thursday night. ... Cardinals LF Tommy Pham (left side contusion) was back in the lineup Wednesday night after leaving the Tuesday night game for a pinch hitter in the eighth inning.