Chicago Cubs Score and Recap (9/25/21): Cardinals 8, Cubs 5 – Cubs Lose Late Lead, Cardinals Win 15th Straight

The Cubs hoped to salvage a game against the Cardinals after getting blown out in a doubleheader on Friday, but not even pride was enough to spur them ahead in this one. It looked as if they might actually be able to pull out a win Saturday, but then St. Louis got to the Chicago bullpen again and won the game.

Cub starter Adrian Sampson pitched well, allowing just solo home runs to Harrison Bader and Tyler O’Neill through six innings. The Cubs rallied our former teammate Jon Lester for two runs in the 3rd inning on an RBI double from Willson Contreras and a single from Ian Happ.

Happ and Contreras struck again in the 4th inning with a single and the bases-loaded walk to give Chicago a 4-2 lead. The Cardinals, however, were not going to go down that easy and rallied for three in the 7th against Codi Heuer.

The Cubs threatened in 8th with a triple to open the inning, then stranded the runner and the Cards came back with three more runs in the top of the 9th. The visitors won yet again by a score of 8-5. (Box score)

Why the Cubs Lost

The bullpen gave it up yet again as the Cardinals’ unstoppable offense continued to pile up runs.

Key Moment

With runners on first and third and one out in the 8th Rafael Ortega hit a ground ball to first base. The throw came home to catch David Bote in a rundown. He was eventually tagged out and then Trayce Thompson was caught off of second base and also tagged out in a run-down for an inning-ending double play.

Stats That Matter

• Sampson deserved better on Saturday: 6 IP, 2 R, 3 H, 4 K, and 0 BB.
• Happ added a 9th inning home run to give himself a three RBI day.
• Sergio Alcántara had two hits and continues to heat up.

Bottom Line

The Cardinals have now won 15 straight games and show no signs of slowing down. The Cubs are just along for the ride at this point and it would be nice for them to get off.

On Deck

The Cubs look to avoid a sweep in the home finale Sunday at 1:20pm CT as Keegan Thompson faces Jake Woodford in a game available on Marquee Sports Network and 670 The Score.