ST. LOUIS (AP) — Willson Contreras hit a tiebreaking single in the 10th inning to drive in his third run of the game, and the Chicago Cubs overcame a five-run deficit to beat the St. Louis Cardinals 6-5 on Sunday.
St. Louis led 5-0 but starter Jack Flaherty left after two innings because of right shoulder tightness, and the Cubs tied the score with a five-run fourth. The Cardinals have lost three of their last four games and seven of their last 10.
Contreras hit a tying two-run single in the fourth and led off the 10th with a single off Zack Thompson (1-1) that scored automatic runner Nelson Velázquez.
“I was just trying to hit a ground ball to second base,” Contreras said. “I finally got a fastball up, and I was trying to get on top it.”
Contreras, who struck out in his first two trips to the plate, found a hole in the shift for his 31st RBI.
“He didn't get frustrated,” Chicago manager David Ross said. “He locked it back in.”
David Robertson (2-0) retired three straight batters in the bottom half, and the Cubs took two of three from their rival. Chicago has won four of its last five series in St. Louis.
“This is an intense rivalry, an intense place to come and play,” Chicago outfielder Rafael Ortega said. “I'm excited that we were able to take care of this series.”
Ross agreed, “We play these guys really tough. Our pitching showed up, we made pitches. Our guys fought really hard, I'm super proud of them.”
Flaherty was making his third start this season after missing the first 64 games while recovering from shoulder surgery. He gave up one hit, struck out two and walked two, throwing 49 pitches.
Flaherty was not available after game. St. Louis manager Oliver Marmol said Flaherty had a, “dead arm sensation.” Marmol also said the ailment was not connected to Flaherty’s previous injury.
Nick Wittgren allowed four straight singles starting the fourth, including Alex Rivas' RBI hit. Johan Oviedo gave up a one-out double to Rafael Ortega, and Contreras followed with the tying hit.
Nolan Arenado had a run-scoring single in the first, Tommy Edman grounded into a run-scoring forceout in the second and Brendan Donovan, Paul Goldschmidt and Juan Yepez homered in a 12-pitch span in the third off Alec Mills. Donovan and Goldschmidt hit back-to-back drives, with Goldschmidt's his team-leading 18th.