Newcomer Haren stifles St. Louis in Cubs’ victory
As a trade deadline addition to the Cubs, Dan Haren was unaware the team had struggled in St. Louis. In the end, it was probably better he didn’t know about Chicago’s 1-6 record at Busch Stadium.
“I didn’t know we had struggled here,” Haren said after working seven innings and allowing seven hits in a 9-0 victory over the Cardinals on Monday. “Everyone has struggled against the Cardinals this year; they’re the best team record-wise.”
The NL Central-leading Cardinals maintained a 5½game lead over Pittsburgh, which lost 3-1 to Cincinnati. The Cubs are 7½ back.
Dexter Fowler had a leadoff home run and two-run double in the first two innings.
Before the game, manager Joe Maddon said he told Fowler: “You go, we go. He gets up there and makes us go.”
Fowler matched his season best for RBIs and became the Cubs’ first switch-hitter to score 90 runs since Brian McRae scored 111 in 1996.
“I’m seeing the ball well, barreling balls well,” Fowler said. “The team camaraderie is awesome right now, even with the new guys coming in.”
Addison Russell’s threerun homer capped a five-run third that made it 8-0. The Cubs have won four in a row and got an 11-game trip off to a rocking start.
“We’ve got to beat them here; that’s really important regarding our development,” Maddon said. “So, it’s a nice
first step, but let’s have another one-game winning streak tomorrow.”
Haren (9-9) had five strikeouts and two walks. He also contributed a single and sacrifice fly.
Lance Lynn (11-9) gave up six runs in 2⅓ innings on nine days’ rest after getting extra time to recover from a sprained ankle in his last start. The ankle wasn’t the issue.
“Just didn’t have any command,” Lynn said. “The ball was all over the place, and when I started making pitches they were already locked in.”
He wasn’t happy about the bonus time off.
“When you’re in a rhythm and a creature of habit, the extra time is never wanted,” Lynn said.
The Cardinals are 3-4 on this homestand with two games to go. They’re a major league-best 49-24 at Busch Stadium, but this was their most lopsided setback at home. They’ve been outscored 16-1 the last two games.
“I think we’ve been so accustomed to seeing that starting pitching so locked down that when we don’t see it, it looks extremely odd,” manager Mike Matheny said. “Today was one of those days.”
The Cubs are 36-29 on the road, second-best in the NL behind the Cardinals’ 38-27.
“I loved the fact we played well here,” Cubs manager Joe Maddon said. “We have to learn to play well in this venue.”
Tonight at 7:15, Michael Wacha (15-4, 2.69) will pitch for St. Louis for the first time since Aug. 28. He’s 4-0 with a 2.88 ERA in nine career starts with six or more days of rest. Chicago’s Jason Hammel (7-6, 3.55) will face the Cardinals for the third time this season.