Chicago Cubs Score and Recap (7/12/24): Cubs 5, Cardinals 1 – Old School Performance from Professor Extends Win Streak

The Cubs rode their momentum from Baltimore right into Busch Stadium Friday night with another terrific performance to earn their fifth consecutive victory. This time it was Kyle Hendricks with a vintage performance, going seven innings and shutting down the Cardinals en route to a 5-1 win.

Nico Hoerner got Chicago on the board against St. Louis ace Sonny Gray with an RBI groundout in the top of the 3rd. Dansby Swanson doubled the lead with a clutch two-out single that brought home Ian Happ in the following frame.

Hendricks showed no ill effects from the back tightness that forced him out of his last start, getting a lot of weak contact Friday. The Professor was able to scatter just five singles across seven shutout innings, giving his offense more than enough room to get the job done.

Hoerner got his second RBI on a sacrifice fly in the 7th to make it 3-0. Pinch-hitter David Bote pulled a huge two-run double into the left field corner against reliever John King, increasing the Cubs’ margin to 5-0 in the 8th inning. Hard-throwing reliever Hunter Bigge got the 9th inning and was wild, walking a pair and giving up an RBI single to Paul Goldschmidt to cut the deficit to 5-1. Héctor Neris took over and recorded the save after a free pass of his own brought the tying run to the plate. (Box score)

Key Moment

Bote’s double turned out to be important because it gave the Cubs a little extra cushion that was very helpful when things got a bit hairy in the last at-bat. Those are situations they weren’t taking advantage of during their two-month-long slump.

Why the Cubs Won

As it turns out, not giving up any runs for over 31 innings is a good strategy to win baseball games. The offense has done a much better job bringing home runners in scoring position on this trip whether via a hit or a productive out.

Stats That Matter

• Hendricks bounced back very nicely from a pair of tough starts and always seems to save his best for the Cardinals: 7 IP, 0 R, 5 H, 3 K, and 1 BB.
• One sour note in this one: Big lefty reliever Luke Little had to come out with an apparent arm injury in the 8th inning. We’re not sure of the extent of his shoulder issue, but Little’s reaction indicated it could be significant.
• Friday was a big night for the bottom of the Cubs order with Swanson, Miles Mastrobuoni, and Miguel Amaya all recording two hits.

Bottom Line

Just as suddenly as the Cubs fell into their malaise in early May, they have roared back to life the last week. The consistently good starting pitching has finally been joined by some quality hitting and the results have spoken for themselves. They still have some work to do to get out of the hole they were in but this is now significant progress.

On Deck

Saturday is a split doubleheader at Busch Stadium beginning with game one at 1:15pm CT. Hayden Wesneski takes the mound against Lance Lynn in a matchup available on Marquee and 670 The Score.