On July 12, 2024, the Chicago Cubs faced off against the St. Louis Cardinals in Missouri. The Cubs came out on top with a 5-1 victory, extending their winning streak to five games. Pitcher Kyle Hendricks was the star of the game, throwing seven shutout innings. He allowed only five hits and one walk while striking out three batters. Hendricks did not allow any Cardinals players to reach second base, showcasing his dominance on the mound.
Hendricks, now with a record of 2-7, has a strong history against the Cardinals with a career record of 14-4. In this game, he continued his success by throwing 11 1/3 scoreless innings against them this season. The Cubs’ bullpen faced some challenges, with reliever Luke Little getting injured in the eighth inning. However, Mark Leiter Jr. and Hector Neris stepped in to secure the win, with Neris earning his 13th save of the season.
Offensively, Nico Hoerner and David Bote played key roles for the Cubs, each driving in two runs. Miles Mastrobuoni also contributed with two runs scored. The Cubs utilized small ball tactics to take an early lead, with Mastrobuoni, Pete Crow-Armstrong, and Miguel Amaya setting the stage for runs in the third inning. The team continued to build on their lead throughout the game, ultimately securing the victory.
On the other side, St. Louis starter Sonny Gray had a solid performance, allowing three runs on nine hits over seven innings. Despite Gray’s efforts, the Cardinals were unable to overcome the Cubs’ lead. They suffered their third consecutive loss as the Cubs’ offense proved to be too much to handle.
In the ninth inning, the Cardinals managed to break through Chicago’s defense and end their scoreless streak at 32 1/3 innings. However, it was not enough to stage a comeback as Neris shut down the Cardinals’ offense and secured the win for the Cubs.
Overall, the Chicago Cubs showcased a strong team performance, with both their pitching and hitting contributing to their fifth consecutive victory. As they continue their winning streak, the Cubs will look to maintain their momentum and secure more wins in the games to come.