Yadier Molina’s walk-off single lifts Cardinals over Cubs

[July 22, 2021]  Yadier Molina delivered a walk-off RBI single in the 10th inning after the Chicago Cubs tied the game in the ninth and the host St. Louis Cardinals notched a 3-2 win on Wednesday.

St. Louis Cardinals center fielder Harrison Bader (48) celebrates after hitting a one run double during the seventh inning against the Chicago Cubs at Busch Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports

Molina's single with one out against Craig Kimbrel (1-3) scored Paul Goldschmidt, who began the 10th inning as the automatic runner at second base.

T.J. McFarland (1-0) earned the win for St. Louis, whose bullpen struggled for the second straight game.

One day after mounting a six-run rally in the ninth inning in Tuesday's 7-6 victory, the Cubs trailed 2-1 before tying the game with two outs in the ninth on Wednesday.

Nico Hoerner was hit by a pitch from Giovanny Gallegos and pinch hitter Eric Sogard followed with a double to right center that scored Hoerner easily from first.

John Gant replaced Gallegos and hit the next two batters to load the bases, but Anthony Rizzo grounded out to second to end the inning.

Harrison Bader had three hits and an RBI for St. Louis. Starting pitcher Adam Wainwright allowed one run on six hits over seven innings. He struck out five batters with no walks.

Chicago pushed a run across in the third inning when Rafael Ortega's one-out triple off Wainwright scored Hoerner, who singled to begin the inning.

St. Louis moved ahead with two runs in the seventh. Leadoff hitter Paul DeJong reached on an infield single and moved to second on a throwing error by catcher Willson Contreras.

Tommy Edman then popped out on a bunt attempt before Bader doubled to left field off Kyle Hendricks, easily scoring DeJong from second.

Andrew Chafin replaced Hendricks and retired Matt Carpenter on a fly ball to center before Bader scored on Dylan Carlson's double off the left field wall.

Hendricks allowed two runs on eight hits and no walks over 6 1/3 innings. He struck out three batters and has pitched six-plus innings in 13 consecutive starts, the longest active streak in the majors.

Ortega and Jason Heyward had two hits apiece for the Cubs, who were 1-for-14 with runners in scoring position and lost for the 22nd time in their past 31 games.

--Field Level Media

[© 2021 Thomson Reuters. All rights reserved.]

Copyright 2021 Reuters. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.  Thompson Reuters is solely responsible for this content.