Cubs’ Contreras, Butler concoct plan to halt Cards

ST. LOUIS — The Chicago Cubs were looking for a catalyst to get them back on track and found what they needed in their battery.

Catcher Willson Contreras connected twice for his first career multi-home-run game, Eddie Butler threw six scoreless innings in his season debut and the Cubs beat St. Louis 3-2 on Friday, ending the Cardinals’ six-game winning streak.

The Cubs won for just the second time in seven games.

“It feels good coming in here and helping the guys win,” Butler said. “Me and Willy had a big game plan going into it and we followed it pretty well. I ended up getting the guys a couple zeros there and they put up some runs.”

Chicago played without NL MVP Kris Bryant, who was scratched from the lineup with a stomach virus. He’s already been ruled out for today’s game.

Butler (1-0), who pitched the last three seasons with Colorado and was traded to the Cubs before spring training, gave up 2 hits, struck out 5 and walked 3.

Butler started in place of the injured Brett Anderson. The only two hits he allowed were infield singles by Aledmys Diaz, including a bunt.

“Eddie was really good wasn’t he,” Cubs Manager Joe Maddon said. “He was really good. Probably walked more than what you see out of him but had really good stuff. I thought he was very, very good and it set the whole game up for us actually.”

Wade Davis got his eighth save in as many tries.

Contreras homered twice off Mike Leake (4-2), who entered with the National League’s best ERA and

had only given up one home run in six starts.

Tommy La Stella also homered for the Cubs.