ST. LOUIS — The Cubs used an aggressive offensive formula to power their way into postseason position earlier this season — a recipe that had gone uncharacteristically missing for stretches in recent weeks. On Saturday night, the North Siders very much looked like themselves again.
In a 9-1 win over the rival Cardinals, the Cubs enjoyed a relentless offensive push that the ballclub can only hope develops into a corner-turning moment for the lineup. From the outset, Chicago’s hitters were on the attack, piling up runs early and continuing to add on in a performance that brought April and May’s steady production to mind.
Michael Busch (three-run shot in the second) and Matt Shaw (solo blast in the fifth) each launched a home run for Chicago, while Carson Kelly and Dansby Swanson finished with three hits apiece. Shaw added a run-scoring triple. Kyle Tucker, Ian Happ and Kelly each chipped in an RBI single.
The nine runs scored by the Cubs equaled the team’s total output in the previous four games combined. And after Chicago went 0-for-9 with runners in scoring position in Friday’s 5-0 loss in St. Louis, the lineup finished 5-for-13 in such scenarios in the win.
It was more than sufficient in supporting a quality start from Cubs righty Colin Rea, who limited the Cardinals to one run over six innings. Rea held St. Louis to one hit through five frames before allowing a leadoff double in the sixth to Lars Nootbaar, who scored on a groundout off the bat of Alec Burleson.
