Pedro Strop blows late lead, Cardinals walk-off in 10

Arrieta works another quality start

Chicago Cubs set-up man Pedro Strop entered the eighth inning with a one-run lead, only to give up the game-tying home run to pinch-hitter Greg Garcia on the fifth pitch of his at-bat to hand both Jake Arrieta and John Lackey no-decisions.

Tonight’s showdown was a rematch from early May when these two veterans took the mound opposite one another but this time around, it looked as if Arrieta was going to redeem himself with his second straight win.

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Arrieta (7-5, 2.94 ERA) worked a complete game shutout on Father’s Day and continued to dominate on the mound, holding the first-place St. Louis Cardinals to only one earned run on three hits with two walks and seven strikeouts in seven innings of work. He gave up a lead-off double to Kolten Wong during the bottom of the first but was able to escape the inning.

Wong was thrown out at home while trying to score after Jhonny Peralta reached on a fielder’s choice. Shortstop Starlin Castro fielded the groundball, throwing it to Miguel Montero for the second out of the inning.

Chicago made a similar play in the third inning following Randal Grichuk‘s RBI triple to center field which scored catcher Yadier Molina from second base. This time around, first baseman Anthony Rizzo would make the play at home, fielding a groundball off the bat of Jon Jay to throw Grichuk out at home plate. 

Outfielder Mike Baxter had himself a fine day at the plate, tying things up at one apiece with an RBI single to right fielder Jason Heyward which allowed Montero to score.

Lackey (6-4, 3.35 ERA) matched Arrieta in innings but was charged with two earned runs on eight hits with three walks and five strikeouts in seven innings of work as well.

Shortly after Peter Bourjos doubled to lead off the 10th inning, reliever Justin Grimm gave up a single to Wong then followed that up with an intentional walk to Matt Carpenter, loading up the bases with no outs.

With Peralta in the batter’s box, the Cubs attempted to record their third out with a play at home but Bourjos was able to slide safely on the throwing error by Baxter in right field.

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