CHICAGO _ The Cubs overcame the ejections of starting pitcher John Lackey and catcher Willson Contreras Friday when they scored seven runs in the sixth inning to surge to an 8-2 victory over their National League Central-rival Cardinals at Wrigley Field.
Lackey fumed over a 2-2 pitch that was called a ball as the Cardinals' Carlos Martinez took a few steps toward the Cardinals dugout in anticipation of a called third strike with two outs in the fifth inning. On the next pitch, Martinez hit a curve into right-center field for a single. Lackey immediately sprinted behind home plate to cover it and yell at home plate umpire Jordan Baker, who tossed him and Contreras.
Contreras spiked his mask and had to be restrained by teammate Javier Baez and umpire crew chief Bill Welke.
Martinez retired the first 10 Cubs hitters with a fastball clocked as fast as 99 mph. But Kris Bryant drove a 98 mph pitch over the fence in right-center for a game-tying home run in the fourth. The Cubs collected five singles in the sixth, with Jon Jay hitting a go-ahead single and pinch-hitter Ian Happ hitting a two-run single.
Lackey had a few words for Baker after a 2-1 pitch to Matt Carpenter was called a ball in the first. The discussion continued after Tommy Pham smacked a home run to center field after Carpenter lined to first baseman Anthony Rizzo. Lackey's ejection stretched the bullpen to the point where closer Wade Davis was summoned to pitch more than one inning for the first time this season.
