Chicago Cubs Recap: Bats cold as Jake Arrieta struggles in finale

Jake Arrieta allowed a pair of home runs and the Chicago Cubs’ bats were silenced in a series finale loss to the St. Louis Cardinals on Mother’s Day.

The reigning World Champion Chicago Cubs learned a valuable lesson this weekend in a sellout series at Busch Stadium. The rival St. Louis Cardinals have no intention of yielding the limelight to the North Siders – and after taking two-of-three this weekend, the Redbirds show why they’re one of the best teams in the league.

Relying on the long-ball and dominant starting pitching, St. Louis commanded the finale from the start, thanks to a gritty performance from their veteran ace, Adam Wainwright. The tall right-hander tossed seven scoreless frames, setting the tone.

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Chicago (18-19) managed just four hits on the afternoon, as the offense continued to struggle. Leadoff man Kyle Schwarber went 0-for-3 with a walk as his averaged dropped to .179. Addison Russell returned to the lineup, going 0-for-4 on the afternoon.

Rookie outfielder Ian Happ recorded the only multi-hit effort for the Cubs, including his first double.

Arrieta (4-3, 5.44) ate up innings after allowing two-run shots in the second and third. First, Yadier Molina took him deep and then former college teammate Matt Carpenter finally brought revenge of his own. Arrieta had dominated him for years (0-for-28 in regular season play), but Carpenter took him deep for his eighth homer of the year in the third.

Molina wasn’t finished, hitting his second home run of the game in the bottom of the eighth against Brian Duensing.

Next: Will the real Jake Arrieta please stand up?

What’s Next:

Chicago opens a 10-game homestand Tuesday. John Lackey (3-3, 4.29) takes the ball against Bronson Arroyo (3-2, 5.94) in the opener of a three-game set against the Cincinnati Reds.

First pitch is at Wrigley Field at 7:05 p.m. CT.