Sept. 10--The Cubs blew a chance to earn their first three-game sweep at St. Louis in five years as the bullpen blew a two-run lead in the eighth inning of a 4-3 loss Wednesday. Rookie Stephen Piscotty ripped Fernando Rodney's first pitch for a two-run double that gave the Cardinals their first lead.
At the plate
The Cubs were only 2-for-11 with runners in scoring position. Jon Lester sparked a rally in the second with the second single of his career and he scored on Dexter Fowler's single.
On the mound
Lester retired 20 of the final 21 batters he faced, but three Cubs relievers allowed three runs on three hits to blow a 3-1 lead in the eighth.
In the field
Right fielder Chris Coghlan made a running catch of a pinch-hitter Tommy Pham's drive before tumbling into the seats in foul territory for the final out of the sixth.
Key number
2 -- Games in which Kyle Schwarber has struck out four times
The quote
"We came in and made a bit of a statement, and it would have been nice to really make a statement and pull that one out. But we'll go get them (Thursday)." -- Lester
Up next
At Phillies, 6:05 p.m. Thursday, CSN.
