The Cubs had a moment that felt like a win, but it ended in a loss. Pete Crow-Armstrong hit a huge two-run home run in the 10th inning to take the lead. It was a must-see shot that finally woke up the quiet offense. Yet, the Cardinals answered right back with three runs to win it 3-2. This game showed that one big hit cannot fix a lineup that sleeps for nine innings.
A Night of Two Halves
For the first nine frames, the Chicago bats were totally silent. The lineup had scored 35 runs in the four games before this one, including a 17-hit explosion the night prior. Then, they managed just one hit against starter Dustin May. With the Trade Deadline approaching, the Cardinals pitcher exited following five scoreless innings. The Cubs offense didn’t find a rhythm until the very last chance. Crow-Armstrong finally broke the drought with an 0-1 changeup from Luis Gastelum. According to MLB.com Cubs, that blast carried a 109.1 mph exit velocity and went a projected 424 feet. It was his 24th home run of the season, but it came too late.
That single blast carried 109.1 mph of exit velocity.
How does a team with that much recent firepower get held to one hit?
Boyd and Webb Held the Line
The pitching staff did everything asked of them to keep the game alive. Matthew Boyd worked seven innings and allowed just four hits and two walks. He struck out five batters and kept St. Louis off the board for a long stretch. Over his last seven starts since returning from knee surgery, Boyd has posted a 1.93 ERA. He mixed his curveball and slider to keep the hitters guessing. Later, Jacob Webb stepped in for a high-leverage spot and earned trust from manager Craig Counsell. The right-hander has recorded five saves this season as injuries hit the bullpen. These pitchers gave the team a real chance to win on a bad offensive night.
Boyd’s 1.93 ERA over his last seven starts since returning from knee surgery tells the whole story of his effectiveness.
The Cost of a Quiet Night
The loss came down to the bottom of the 10th inning when the Cardinals struck. To finalize the comeback, Iván Herrera launched a two-run double against reliever Trent Thornton. It was a painful end for a team that played so well on the mound. The Cubs can’t rely on one swing to carry them when the rest of the lineup goes cold. A team needs consistent offense to survive games like this in the division race. The pitching was sharp, but the bats failed to show up until it was too late.
What’s the biggest reason the Cubs offense went quiet for so long? Is it the schedule or just a bad night at the plate?
