CHICAGO – Andrew Knizner scored the lead after a wild pitch by Codi Heuer in the ninth inning and the St. Louis Cardinals beat the Chicago Cubs 4-2 on Sunday for 16 straight wins.
The Cardinals’ franchise-record streak is the longest in the majors since Cleveland had 22 wins in 2017, and the best in the National League since the New York Giants had 16 straight wins in 1951. when they made their way in a surprise way to the pennant.
Paul Goldschmidt and Harrison Bader hit home runs to extend a streak that has propelled the Cardinals to the second wild card in the National League, six games clear of Philadelphia and Cincinnati with six games remaining.
The Cardinals now open a three-game home series starting Tuesday against the Central Division champions Milwaukee Brewers.
Knizer negotiated a passport to start the ninth inning. With one out and a full house, Heuer (7-4) threw too low a pitch to Tyler O’Neil that passed catcher Willson Contreras, allowing Knizer to score.
Subsequently, Heuer was unable to control O’Neill’s hit to the mound and Lars Nootbaar stepped onto the pentagon to give the Cardinals a 4-2 lead.
Chicago hit their sixth loss and finished 39-42 at home this season.
Bader’s 15th home run of the season tied the game 2-2 with two outs in the eighth. The Cardinals set a franchise record by hitting 13 home runs in their four-game series at Wrigley Field.
Genesis Cabrera (4-5) retired two foes for the win, and Giovanny Gallegos worked the ninth inning for his 14th save.
For the Cardinals, Venezuelan José Rondón 1-0.
For the Cubs, Venezuelans Rafael Ortega 3-2; and Contreras 3-1 with a run scored. The Dominican Sergio Alcántara 4-1.
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