Busch Leads Cubs to Historic Win
The Chicago Cubs made history on Friday, setting a franchise record with eight home runs in an 11-3 rout of the St. Louis Cardinals. Michael Busch was the star of the show, hitting three home runs and driving in five runs.
A Power-Packed Performance
Busch finished 4 for 4, and his impressive performance was matched by Pete Crow-Armstrong, who also went 4 for 4 and hit two home runs. Dansby Swanson added a two-run homer, and Seiya Suzuki and Carson Kelly each hit solo shots. The Cubs’ power barrage had the crowd of 40,038 at Wrigley Field roaring, and it was a night to remember for the NL Central leaders.
Record-Breaking Feat
The Cubs hit six homers in the first three innings off Miles Mikolas, a record for most home runs off a Cardinals pitcher in one game. The eight longballs allowed by St. Louis also broke a club mark. This historic performance was a testament to the Cubs’ powerful lineup, which has been on fire lately.
Cubs’ Pitching Shines
Colin Rea pitched 6 2/3 strong innings, allowing just one hit and matching his longest outing of the season. Brendan Donovan led off the fourth with a home run against Rea, ending a 31-inning scoreless streak for the Cardinals. Mikolas, on the other hand, was tagged for eight runs and 10 hits over six innings, losing his fourth straight game.
Key Highlights
Suzuki drilled his team-leading 24th homer, and Crow-Armstrong followed with his first of the game in the first. Busch and Kelly hit consecutive drives in the second, giving Chicago a 4-0 lead. Crow-Armstrong launched his 23rd homer off Wrigley Field’s right-field video board in the third, and Busch hit the board with a two-run shot that made it 7-0.
Key Moment
Busch pumped his hands to the crowd as he circled the bases after going deep in the seventh for his first career three-homer game. This moment will be etched in the memories of Cubs fans for a long time.
Key Stat
It was Crow-Armstrong’s fourth multihomer game this season and the fifth of his career. The 23-year-old center fielder was elected this week to start the All-Star Game, a testament to his impressive skills.
Up Next
LHP Matthew Liberatore (6-6, 3.70 ERA) pitches Saturday for the Cardinals, while LHP Drew Pomeranz (2-1, 0.00) starts a bullpen game for the Cubs. This upcoming game promises to be an exciting matchup between two talented teams.
Conclusion
The Cubs’ historic win was a thrilling display of power and skill, with Busch and Crow-Armstrong leading the charge. This game will be remembered for a long time, and it’s a testament to the Cubs’ potent lineup and strong pitching. As the season continues, the Cubs will look to build on this momentum and make a push for the playoffs.
FAQs
- Who hit three home runs in the game? Michael Busch hit three home runs.
- What was the final score of the game? The Cubs won 11-3.
- Who pitched for the Cubs? Colin Rea pitched 6 2/3 strong innings.
- What is the Cubs’ record for most home runs in a game? The Cubs set a franchise record with eight home runs.
- Who will pitch for the Cardinals on Saturday? LHP Matthew Liberatore will pitch for the Cardinals.
CHICAGO (AP) — Michael Busch hit three home runs, Pete Crow-Armstrong connected twice and the Chicago Cubs went deep a franchise-record eight times in pounding the St. Louis Cardinals 11-3 on Friday for their fourth straight victory.
Busch finished 4 for 4 with five RBIs. Crow-Armstrong also went 4 for 4 and Dansby Swanson launched a two-run homer during a Cubs power barrage that had the crowd of 40,038 at Wrigley Field roaring.
Seiya Suzuki and Carson Kelly added solo shots as the NL Central leaders hit six homers in the first three innings off Miles Mikolas (4-6), a record for most home runs off a Cardinals pitcher in one game. The eight longballs allowed by St. Louis also broke a club mark.
Brendan Donovan led off the fourth with a home run against Colin Rea, ending a 31-inning scoreless streak for the Cardinals. St. Louis, which dropped its fourth straight, was shut out in its three previous losses.
That was the only hit Rea (6-3) allowed in 6 2/3 innings, matching his longest outing this season.
Mikolas (4-6) was tagged for eight runs and 10 hits over six innings in losing his fourth in a row.
Suzuki drilled his team-leading 24th homer and Crow-Armstrong followed with his first of the game in the first. Busch and Kelly hit consecutive drives in the second, giving Chicago nine sets of back-to-back homers this season and a 4-0 lead.
Crow-Armstrong launched his 23rd homer off Wrigley Field’s right-field video board in the third. After Swanson singled, Busch hit the board with a two-run shot that made it 7-0.
Cubs infielder Jon Berti pitched the ninth and allowed two runs.
Key moment
Busch pumped his hands to the crowd as he circled the bases after going deep in the seventh for his first career three-homer game.
Key stat
It was Crow-Armstrong’s fourth multihomer game this season and the fifth of his career. The 23-year-old center fielder was elected this week to start the All-Star Game.
Up next
LHP Matthew Liberatore (6-6, 3.70 ERA) pitches Saturday for the Cardinals. LHP Drew Pomeranz (2-1, 0.00) starts a bullpen game for the Cubs.
