Clay Holmes pitched 6 2/3 dominant innings and Seiya Suzuki hit a three-run home run, leading the Chicago Cubs to a 3-0 victory over the St. Louis Cardinals at Wrigley Field, according to Associated Press reports. The win moves the Cubs to 72-51 on the season as they maintain a comfortable lead in the National League wild-card standings.
Clay Holmes Dominates in First Home Start
Making his second start and first home appearance since being acquired from the New York Mets at the trade deadline, Holmes retired his first 16 batters before issuing a single to José Fermín in the sixth inning, as reported by the Associated Press. Holmes missed three months with a broken right fibula prior to the trade. He struck out three batters, walked one, and allowed just one hit over 6 2/3 innings before exiting to a standing ovation from the Wrigley Field crowd.
Following Holmes’ departure, the Cubs bullpen locked down the victory. Relievers Ryan Rolison, Ryan Zeferjahn, and Jacob Webb combined to finish the three-hitter. According to Associated Press coverage, Webb pitched a scoreless ninth inning to earn his ninth save of the season.
Seiya Suzuki Powers the Cubs Offense
For the game’s first five innings, St. Louis starting pitcher Matthew Liberatore matched Holmes pitch for pitch, retiring his first 13 batters before surrendering a single to Nico Hoerner in the fifth, according to the Associated Press. Liberatore fell to 5-10 on the year after running into trouble in the sixth frame, where he allowed the first two batters to reach base before yielding to George Soriano.
Suzuki capitalized immediately against the bullpen. According to Associated Press reporting, Suzuki drove Soriano’s fourth pitch—a 2-1 changeup—an estimated 390 feet to left field for his 21st home run of the season. Suzuki also added a double in the eighth inning, finishing the afternoon as the game’s only player with multiple hits.
Playoff Context and Upcoming Matchups
With the win, the Cubs have claimed victories in nine of their last eleven games, keeping pace with the major league-best Milwaukee Brewers in the NL Central while solidifying their wild-card position. Meanwhile, the loss drops the Cardinals to 61-61, placing them 3 1/2 games behind the idle Philadelphia for the final NL wild-card spot, per Associated Press data.
The Cardinals embark on a season-long 11-game, 10-day road trip. St. Louis has named right-hander Michael McGreevy (4-9, 3.64 ERA) to start the next game against Chicago left-hander Matthew Boyd (8-1, 3.50 ERA).