CHICAGO _ Kyle Hendricks' six innings of one-hit ball wasn't enough for the tattered Chicago Cubs, as Brad Miller hit a two-run double over the outstretched glove of Albert Almora Jr. with one out in the seventh to give the St. Louis Cardinals a 3-1 victory in the first game of a doubleheader.
The loss extended the Cubs' losing streak to four games.
Hendricks, who allowed a home run to Dexter Fowler in the third, needed only 78 pitches through the first six innings. But Paul Goldschmidt led off the seventh with a double, and the Cardinals loaded the bases on a walk to Tyler O'Neill and single by Matt Carpenter.
After a force play at home plate, manager David Ross pulled Hendricks in favor of Rowan Wick. But Miller foiled the strategy with his game-winning hit.
Hendricks (3-2) lost to the Cardinals for only the third time in 11 decisions as he pitched well despite a lack of run support.
Ian Happ, who wasn't part of the original lineup until Steven Souza Jr. was scratched one hour before the start because of right hamstring tightness, hit a game-tying home run off Kwang Hyun Kim to lead off the fourth.
Happ improved his batting average against left-handers to .333 (6-for-18) after hitting .233 (7-for-30) last season.
The Cubs missed a chance to give Hendricks early support after loading the bases with one out in the first. Javier Baez fouled a pitch off his left foot that required medical attention. Two pitches later, Baez ripped a double down the left field line to snap an 0-for-18 slump.
But the rally fizzled when Happ struck out and David Bote grounded out.
The Cubs will start Tyson Miller in the second game, taking the place of Tyler Chatwood, who was placed on the 10-day injured list retroactive to Thursday because of mid-back tightness.
Miller, 25, a fourth-round pick in the 2016 draft, became the top choice after Adbert Alzolay was struck on the right forearm by a line drive last week. Alzolay remains a candidate to start one of the games of Wednesday's doubleheader, pending the health of his forearm.
Miller will be the first Cubs pitcher to make his major-league debut in a starting role since Duane Underwood Jr. on June 25, 2018, at Dodger Stadium, pitching four innings in a 2-1 loss.
Miller also will be the first Cubs to make his major-league debut in a starting role at Wrigley Field since Jen-Ho Tseng on September 14, 2017. Tseng allowed five runs in three innings in a 14-6 win over the Mets.
In addition, left-hander Jose Quintana might have a shot at joining the rotation late next week.
Quintana, who has been sidelined because of a cut nerve on his left pitching thumb in a dishwashing accident seven weeks ago, is scheduled to throw another simulated game later this week. Quintana reported he felt fine after throwing four innings and 61 pitches in a simulated game Sunday at South Bend.
