ST. LOUIS _ The Cubs clinched a tie for the National League Central title Monday night as they scored four runs in the first inning and coasted to a 10-2 victory over the rival Cardinals at Busch Stadium.
Addison Russell hit a three-run double off Luke Weaver with two out in the first, and Javier Baez smacked a three-run home run in the third.
In addition to Russell's hit, Jason Heyward capped the four-run rally with a double to right center. Kris Bryant ripped his 29th home run to left in the second. The Cubs have recorded 215 home runs so far this season.
Russell has five RBIs in two career at-bats against Weaver. Jon Jay hit an RBI single in the eighth to extend his hitting streak to six games.
Cubs starter Jon Lester's velocity is back, as evidenced by his 94 mph fastball that he threw past Paul DeJong to end the first. Lester allowed a solo home run to Jedd Gyorko with one out in the second but came back to freeze Kolten Wong on a 89 mph cut fastball to end the second. Lester walked only two in a 103-pitch outing and appeared to quell any questions about his health in preparing for the playoffs.
First baseman Anthony Rizzo handled a hard-hit grounder by Matt Carpenter for the first out in the first, and Baez was perfectly stationed behind second to handle a grounder by Tommy Phan for the second out.
