The St. Louis Cardinals bounced back from a rough first inning to defeat the Chicago Cubs 7-5 in London, splitting their weekend series. Manager Oliver Marmol acknowledged the team's pitching needs improvement but expressed confidence in their ability to turn the season around.
Willson Contreras had a stellar day at the plate, going 4 for 4 with two runs scored, contributing significantly to the Cardinals' victory. The Cubs, on the other hand, missed an opportunity to reach .500 as ace Marcus Stroman exited early with a blister. Stroman's departure with a finger blister proved costly, as the Cardinals capitalized on the pitching change.
Despite spotting the Cubs a 4-0 lead in the first inning due to a couple of infield errors, the Cardinals rallied impressively. A key error by Cubs first baseman Trey Mancini allowed the Cardinals to score their first run, sparking the comeback. Paul Goldschmidt's RBI single knocked Stroman out of the game and gave the Cardinals the lead. The Cardinals bullpen held strong, allowing only one run over 6 2/3 innings in front of a large crowd.
Brendan Donovan and Nolan Gorman also contributed key hits in the Cardinals' comeback. Jordan Hicks secured his fourth save in eight days, closing out the game for St. Louis. The Cubs, despite their recent strong performance, remain unable to consistently reach .500.
Adding to the London series atmosphere, actor John Goodman entertained the crowd with his rendition of "Take Me Out to the Ballgame." The two-game series drew a strong attendance, though slightly less than the 2019 London series between the Yankees and Red Sox. Following the London series, both teams return home. The Cubs will host the Philadelphia Phillies, while the Cardinals welcome the Houston Astros.
