Chicago Cubs Recap: Three-run seventh propels Cubs to win

A three-run seventh inning was the difference for the Chicago Cubs, as they swept Tuesday’s doubleheader against the St. Louis Cardinals.

For the 456th time in franchise history, the Cubs swept a twin-bill with a 5-3 win in the nightcap, thanks to a very strong start from rookie Dallas Beeler and a three-run seventh inning that featured multiple oddities.

With one out, pinch-hitter Miguel Montero drew a walk against St. Louis right-hander Seth Maness, who then faced a second pinch-hitter in Jonathan Herrera.

After the Chicago utilityman dealt with a helmet mishap, he delivered a single past a diving Mark Reynolds to put men at first and second for the Cubs, who trailed 2-1 at this point in the game.

Struggling rookie Addison Russell then came through, chopping a ball with a life of its own down the first-base line, into right field, allowing Montero to score, tying the game at two apiece.

The ‘fair’ ruling threw Maness into a rage, and he was soon ejected by the first base umpire, forcing Mike Matheny to turn to lefty Kevin Siegrist.

The next man up, Chicago leadoff man Dexter Fowler, chopped a ball back to the St. Louis reliever, who had a shot at an inning-ending double play. However, his throw sailed wide of second, allowing Russell to score the go-ahead run on the error.

Anthony Rizzo and Starlin Castro sacrifice flies extended the Cubs’ lead to 5-2 in the late innings, which eventually allowed Chicago to complete the sweep of the doubleheader and give them the chance to win the series on Wednesday night.

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Jason Motte struggled badly in the ninth, allowing the Cardinals to push across a third run – giving the visitors runners at first and second with just one out in the inning.

The former Cardinals closer squared off against Matt Carpenter, setting him down on a foul pop-out down the left-field line for the second out. Jhonny Peralta, the potential winning run, grounded the first ball he saw to short for the final out of the ballgame.

Catcher Taylor Teagarden drove in the first run of the night for Chicago (46-37) in the fifth, giving Dallas Beeler his first run support of the game. Although he did not factor into the decision, the righty was charged with just two runs in five frames of six-strikeout ball.

His counterpart, Tim Cooney, who was also seeking his first big league win, was even better, allowing just one run on three hits across 5 1/3 innings of work.

St. Louis (54-30) tied things up on an RBI groundout by Jason Heyward in the sixth before a grounder deep in the hole at short allowed the Cardinals to go up 2-1 after a pair of Justin Grimm wild pitches allowed runners to advance.

What’s Next:

St. Louis and Chicago will settle the series on Wednesday night in the ESPN game of the night in a matchup of premiere right-handers.

Michael Wacha will be countered by Jason Hammel. Both men have been solid this season, while the former has earned his first career All-Star selection.

First pitch at Wrigley Field is set for 7:10 p.m. CT.

Next: Cubs' huge eighth leads team to Game 1 win