Chicago Cubs snap losing streak behind big game from Jason Heyward

Veteran outfielder Jason Heyward put a struggling offense on his back Friday, driving in a pair in a 3-2 Chicago Cubs win over the St. Louis Cardinals.

Despite Dexter Fowler‘s best efforts to steal the show in his return to Wrigley Field, the Chicago Cubs came away with a much-needed 3-2 win over the rival St. Louis Cardinals in the weekend series opener.

Chicago (26-27) trailed until the eighth, when Jason Heyward drove in his second run of the game. The veteran outfielder hit a sacrifice fly to deep center field, scoring Anthony Rizzo from third and giving the Cubs a 3-2 lead.

Closer Wade Davis came on in the ninth, nailing down his 11th save of the season. The right-hander hadn’t pitched much of-late, given the team’s woes on a recent road trip.

Prior to the game, Fowler received his World Series championship ring in a ceremony. He then opened the contest with a leadoff homer against John Lackey.

More from Cubbies Crib

• Cubs should keep close eye on non-tender candidate Cody Bellinger
• Cubs starting pitching has been thriving on the North Side
• Make no mistake: the Cubs are very much about power hitters
• Cubs are giving pitcher Javier Assad a deserved shot
• Cubs: It’s time to start thinking about potential September call-ups

The big Cubs’ right-hander settled in, though, pitching seven innings of two-run ball. He struck out six, walking a pair although he did not factor in the decision. Carl Edwards Jr. and Pedro Strop combined to throw a scoreless eighth that stymied any hopes of a St. Louis win.

In the sixth, Chicago left the bags loaded. Pinch-hitter Jon Jay grounded into an inning-ending double play that kept the game tied. Heyward narrowly missed a home run to right earlier in the frame, tying the game 2-2.

To get the offense started early, reigning NL MVP Kris Bryant took Lance Lynn deep, smacking his 12th home run of the season in the bottom of the third.

What’s Next:

Chicago and St. Louis (26-26) continue the weekend series Saturday at Wrigley Field.

Jon Lester (3-3, 3.86) takes the ball for the North Siders against right-hander Mike Leake (5-3, 2.24). First pitch is at 1:20 p.m. CT from the Friendly Confines.