March 28, 2024

Carpenter’s HR sends Cards to win over Cubs

CHICAGO (AP) — The St. Louis Cardinals and Chicago Cubs wasted no time trading blows in the first game of their crucial four-game series.

Then, the Cardinals’ Matt Carpenter delivered a haymaker that put the rival Cubs on the ropes.

Carpenter homered in the 10th inning against Craig Kimbrel in the All-Star closer’s return from the injured list, and St. Louis regrouped after blowing a late lead to beat the Cubs 5-4 Thursday night.

The teams will meet six more times in the final 10 days of the regular season.

Carpenter homered to deep center field off Kimbrel (0-3), who was activated prior to the game after dealing with right elbow inflammation.

Chicago dropped a game behind Milwaukee for the second NL wild card and four games behind St. Louis for first place in the NL Central.

Giovanny Gallegos pitched a perfect 10th for his first save in two chances. Andrew Miller (5-5) recorded the final two outs in the ninth for the victory.