March 28, 2024

Lackey strikes out 11 against old team as Cubs top Cards to open series

ST. LOUIS (AP) — John Lackey had a little extra something in the tank for his old team.

The 37-year-old right-hander struck out 11 in seven innings of four-hit ball and delivered an RBI single, leading the Chicago Cubs over the St. Louis Cardinals 5-0 Monday night.

“I’ve been known to be able to focus a little bit, I guess,” Lackey said. “I kind of like this sort of situation.”

Jason Heyward, playing at Busch Stadium for the first time since leaving to sign with Chicago, was 0-for-4 at the plate, made two nice catches in right field and was booed throughout.

Dexter Fowler homered for the second time in three days for the Cubs, a major league-best 10-3 and off to their best start since 1970. Chicago has won 15 of its last 16 regular-season road games, going 6-1 this year.

Fowler homered in the sixth, and rookie shortstop Aledmys Diaz misplayed a potential double-play grounder in the Cubs’ three-run seventh.