In a high-scoring contest featuring five home runs and 23 total hits, the St. Louis Cardinals defeated the Chicago Cubs 8-7 in the second game of their four-game series, largely due to a mental mistake by Cubs center fielder Pete Crow-Armstrong. The error occurred during a critical moment in the bottom of the fourth inning at Busch Stadium, contributing to the Cardinals’ narrow escape.

Early scoring swings and standout moments set the stage

The Cardinals took an early lead when Lars Nootbaar launched a two-run homer in the second inning. However, the Cubs responded with a productive third inning, scoring five runs and highlighted by a three-run blast from Seiya Suzuki. The game quickly turned into a back-and-forth affair as Masyn Winn tied the score with a two-run homer and Nolan Gorman added a solo home run, leveling the game at five runs apiece.

Critical mistake shifts momentum in Cardinals’ favor

With one out and Masyn Winn on second base in the fourth inning, Crow-Armstrong caught a fly ball hit by Alec Burleson but mistakenly assumed the inning was over. Instead of throwing the ball back promptly, he began walking leisurely toward the dugout. Unaware of the mental lapse, Winn kept running and scored from second base, putting the Cardinals ahead 8-5. This run ultimately determined the game’s outcome.

Cubs rally falls just short as Cardinals’ defense holds firm

The Cubs fought back in the sixth inning when Nico Hoerner hit his first home run of the season, narrowing the deficit to 8-7. Despite their late-inning chances, including Suzuki being stranded at second base after an impressive catch by Burleson in right field, the Cubs could not overcome the Cardinals’ defense. In the ninth inning, Nolan Arenado made a remarkable bare-handed play at third base to secure the final out against Dansby Swanson, preserving the Cardinals’ lead.

Implications for the NL Central race and upcoming games

With this win, the Cardinals have taken the first two games of the series, reducing the Cubs’ lead in the NL Central to just 2.5 games. St. Louis remains tied for the final National League Wild Card spot alongside the Milwaukee Brewers. The two teams will face off again in game three, scheduled for a 6:45 p.m. CST start on Wednesday at Busch Stadium, with both clubs aiming to shift momentum in the tightly contested division race.

“With Winn on second base and one out in the bottom of the fourth, Cubs center fielder Pete Crow-Armstrong tracked down a well-hit fly ball by Alec Burleson. Instead of immediately throwing the ball in, though, Crow-Armstrong began to slowly make his way back to the dugout, thinking he had just made the final out of the inning.” —Source Content
“Masyn Winn never stopped running. He scored from second base on the play, putting the Cardinals up 8-5. That run would ultimately be the difference in the game.” —Source Content
“Suzuki was stranded at second base in the top of the seventh after Alec Burleson made an exceptional catch along the netting in right field, and then with two runners in scoring position and two outs in the ninth, 10-time Gold Glover Nolan Arenado did what he does best. The Cardinals’ star third baseman made a bare-handed play to get Dansby Swanson out by a step, sealing the Cardinals’ 8-7 victory.” —Source Content