By Chris Brown / STL Baseball Today

Aided by shaky defense, the small ball, and a timely home run, the Cubs defeated the Cardinals 6-3 on Saturday to even the National League Division Series at 1-1.

Matt Carpenter got things started on a promising note, leading off the bottom of the first inning with a solo home run to put the Cards up early. The Cubs immediately responded in what would quickly become a sloppy inning for the redbirds, capitalizing on Kolten Wong’s misfire while attempting to complete a double play and Jaime Garcia’s throwing error on a squeeze bunt by pitcher Kyle Hendricks to ties things up.

Cubs manager Joe Maddon continued to place small ball, as a bunt by the next batter, Addison Russell, went just to the right of the mound, leaving Garcia with only a play at first as another runner crossed the plate.

Following a Dexter Fowler RBI single, right fielder Jorge Soler, who did not start in Game 1, added insult to injury, blasted a two-run shot to give the Northsiders a commanding 5-1 lead.

After escaping the inning, Garcia exited after just 45 pitches due to what the Cardinals later announced as a stomach virus. Making his first postseason start since 2012, the left-hander lasted just two frames while allowing five runs (none earned) and striking out two.

Scheduled Game 4 starter Lance Lynn took over for Garcia in the third, but he lasted just one inning, in which he gave up an RBI groundout to Miguel Montero. After Lynn’s departure, the Cards bullpen shut things down, firing five scoreless innings to give the redbirds a chance to get back in the game.

The Cardinals offense would make things interesting, getting to Chicago starter Kyle Hendricks in the fifth inning on back-to-back solo homers by Wong and pinch-hitter Randal Grichuk to cut the lead to just three runs. The Cubs bullpen would dominate from there, with Travis Wood, Trevor Cahill, and closer Hector Rondon combining to shut out St. Louis for the final 4 1/3 innings to secure the 6-3 win, the Cubs first postseason victory since 2003.

Up Next:

After a day off on Sunday, the two teams will square off in Game 3 of the series at Wrigley Field on Monday, with Cubs ace Jake Arrieta slated to take the mound against Michael Wacha.

Game Notes (via team notes): 

• With his rough outing Friday evening, Jaime Garcia has not thrown more than three innings in his last three postseason starts … he also set the Cardinals postseason record by allowing five unearned runs.
• Yadier Molina collected his 90th career postseason hit, tied with former teammate Albert Pujols for the most among active players.
• Jason Heyward has now hit safely in his seven of his last eight postseason games.
• Kyle Hendricks became the first Cubs pitcher to allow three home runs in a postseason game since Carlos Zambrano in 2003.

Series Reset (all times central):

Game	Date	Time	Matchup	Broadcast
Gm 1	Fri 10/9	5:45 pm	CHC 0 @ STL 4	TBS, KMOX
Gm 2	Sat 10/10	4:30 pm	CHC 6 @ STL 3	TBS, KMOX
Gm 3	Mon 10/12	5:07 pm	STL (Wacha) @ CHC (Arrieta)	TBS, KMOX
Gm 4	Tues 10/13	3:30 or 7 pm	STL (TBA) @ CHC (TBA)	TBS, KMOX
*Gm 5	Thurs 10/14	3:30 or 7 pm	CHC (TBA) @ STL (TBA)	TBS, KMOX

*if necessary

STL Baseball Today NLDS Coverage

Game 2 Recap: Cubs put squeeze on Cardinals, even series with 6-3 victory

Game 2 Video Recap: Cards fall to Cubs 6-3 in NLDS Game 2

Rough Outing: Despite illness, Garcia says there’s “no excuse” for poor Game 2 performance

The Story Continues: Wainwright shines in first playoff relief appearance since 2006

Next Up: Cards set to face Arrieta as Game 3 moves to Wrigley; Game 4 starter TBD

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Preview: Garcia gets the nod in first postseason start since ’12 as Cards look to take 2-0 series lead

Set to make his first postseason start since 2012, Jaime Garcia is ready for the opportunity he’ll get on Saturday afternoon.

“I’m extremely excited to be here. I’m grateful and so thankful, first of all, to God for giving me an opportunity and the health to be here, to still be doing what I love to do, and especially for playing for the St. Louis Cardinals and to be in the postseason again,” the lefty told KMOV’s J.J. Bailey.

After John Lackey and a duo of rookie outfielders led the Cards to a 4-0 Game 1 win, Garcia will get the ball for the redbirds Saturday afternoon as they look to take a 2-0 series lead in the National League Division Series against the Cubs.

NLDS Game 2: Chicago Cubs @ St. Louis Cardinals

Game Time: 4:30 pm CT

Broadcast: TBS, KMOX/Cardinals Radio Network, ESPN Radio

Pitching Matchup: RHP Kyle Hendricks (8-7, 3.95 ERA) vs. LHP Jaime Garcia (10-6, 2.43 ERA)

Starting Lineups:

Cubs – Dexter Fowler CF, Jorge Soler RF, Kris Bryant 3B, Anthony Rizzo 1B, Starlin Castro 2B, Austin Jackson LF, Miguel Montero C, Kyle Hendricks SP, Addison Russell SS

Cardinals –  Matt Carpenter 3B, Stephen Piscotty RF, Matt Holliday LF, Jason Heyward CF, Jhonny Peralta SS, Brandon Moss 1B, Yadier Molina C, Kolten Wong 2B, Jaime Garcia LHP

Game Notes: 

• Hendricks closed out the 2015 regular season with 12 shutout innings over his final two starts … in four career starts against the Cardinals, Hendricks is 0-1 with a 3.97 ERA … it will be his first ever postseason start.
• The Cardinals have won 10 of the last 12 games when Garcia has started … this will be his first start against the Cubs this year … in five career appearances, Garcia is 2-1 with a 2.00 ERA against the Northsiders.

Recent News:

• NLDS Game 1: Lackey outduels Lester, rookie outfielders shine as Cards defeat Cubs 4-0 in NLDS Game 1

Looking Ahead:

Game	Date	Time	Matchup	Broadcast
Gm 1	Fri 10/9	5:45 pm	CHC 0 @ STL 4	TBS, KMOX
Gm 2	Sat 10/10	4:30 pm	CHC (Hendricks) @ STL (Garcia)	TBS, KMOX
Gm 3	Mon 10/12	5:07 or 3:37 pm	STL (Wacha) @ CHC (Arrieta)	TBS, KMOX
*Gm 4	Tues 10/13	3:37 or 7:07 pm	STL (Lynn) @ CHC (TBA)	TBS, KMOX
*Gm 5	Thurs 10/14	3:37 or 7:07 pm	CHC (TBA) @ STL (TBA)	TBS, KMOX

*if necessary

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