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Chicago Cubs reach 80 wins for the first time since 2009 season
By David Miniel
For the first time since 2009, the Chicago Cubs were able to reach 80 wins on the year after defeating the St. Louis Cardinals for the second time in a row by the final score of 8-5.
They wrapped up the 2009 campaign with an 83-78 record which was good enough for second place in the N.L. Central behind the Cardinals who finished 91 wins. Colorado clinched the Wild Card that season, so the Cubs missed out on the playoffs.
First baseman Anthony Rizzo started things off with a bang – hammering a two-run homer to center field. It just so happened that Rizzo’s homer was his 100th career bomb and RBI 300, 301 in his young career.
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Rizzo later drove in Starlin Castro from second on a single to center field to give him his third RBI of the night. Castro broke things open early on by launching a long three-run shot off Cardinals ace Michael Wacha which capped off a four-run second inning.
This made it 6-0 early, but of course, St. Louis decided to rally later on in the game. Nonetheless, being able to claim this series is a huge statement from this young team that’s determined to finish out the regular season strong.
As of right now, the Cubs sit 6.5 games behind the Cardinals and only two games out of second place despite the Pittsburgh Pirates defeating the Cincinnati Reds. Jon Lester takes the mound tomorrow for the Cubs who will be looking to complete the three-game sweep.
Lester should have rookie slugger Kyle Schwarber back in the lineup after he made a pinch-hit appearance. Schwarber was nursing a rib injury he sustained last week when making a diving attempt in the outfield but didn’t appear to be in any pain when taking rips in the batter’s box.
Speaking of diving attempts, Kris Bryant attempted the same thing with Stephen Piscotty in the box for the Cardinals. Bryant missed and the ball bounced to the wall, allowing Piscotty to round second and stand in with a triple.
Hopefully, he won’t go through the same thing his fellow rookie teammate had to over the weekend. This club is going to need everyone healthy and ready to go in that Wild Card playoff on Oct. 7.
Here’s more from around the league:
‘Chicago Cubs will clash with A.L. West in 2016‘ – Cubbies Crib
‘Cubs: Jake Arrieta continues to be overlooked‘ – Cubbies Crib
‘Detroit Tigers don’t lose to Tampa Bay Rays 8-7 in 13 innings‘ – Motor City Bengals
‘Athletics: Key free agents Billy Beane should sign‘ – Swingin’ A’s
‘Rick Porcello: Back from the dead?‘ – Fantasy Baseball Crackerjacks