CHICAGO _ Kyle Schwarber hit a tie-breaking home run in the sixth inning, and left-hander Jose Quintana threw seven innings of two-run ball in a 121-pitch outing Sunday as the Cubs pulled away to a 7-2 victory over the Cardinals at Wrigley Field.
Schwarber's homer off Mike Mayers enabled the Cubs to rally from a 2-0 deficit. Ian Happ hit a double to score Jason Heyward, and Wilson Contreras hit a two-out single to score Happ with the tying run in the fourth.
The Cubs added three runs in the eighth off Brett Cecil on singles by Contreras, pinch-hitter Albert Almora Jr. and Anthony Rizzo, who reached base safely in his final four plate appearances from the leadoff spot.
Quintana managed to harness Matt Carpenter, who hit a home run in a franchise-record six consecutive games.
Carpenter had only one hit in 12 career at-bats against Quintana entering Sunday's game, but Carpenter took advantage of the Cubs' shift by executing a bunt single in the first and scoring on a double by Yadier Molina.
Carpenter was intentionally walked in the second, struck out to end the fourth, and grounded to second against a four-outfielder alignment. Carpenter's strikeout occurred shortly after Yairo Munoz hit a double to score Dexter Fowler from first.
Before the game, reliever Dillon Maples was optioned to Triple-A Iowa, keeping Luke Farrell in line to start Monday night against the Diamondbacks.
The Cubs open a four-game home series Monday night against the Diamondbacks.
