Cubs drop Game 1 of doubleheader against the Cardinals as losing streak moves to four

Cardinals score two runs in the seventh inning to defeat Cubs 3-1. Kyle Hendricks allows three runs over 6 1/3 innings.

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Photo by Nuccio DiNuzzo/Getty Images

It was up to starter Kyle Hendricks to try to play stopper in Game 1 of Monday’s doubleheader against the Cardinals, but the Cubs ace came close as the Cardinals defeated the Cubs, 3-1 and moved the team’s losing streak to four games.

“I was just really upset with myself there,” Hendricks said. “I gotta go out there and kind of stop that streak for us. That seventh inning is just gonna stick with me.”

The Cubs’ right-hander appeared to have things in control after allowing just one run on one hit over his first six innings. The one run and hit coming via a solo home run by former Cub Dexter Fowler in the third inning. 

Hendricks retired 11 of the next 12 batters he faced after the Fowler home run, but got into trouble in the seventh. He would load the bases after allowing a lead-off double to Paul Goldschmidt, walk to Tyler O’Neil and single to Matt Carpenter.

“I felt good all day executing pitches just really upset with those first three at-bats of the seventh inning. All three were just terrible. Fell apart on Goldschmidt and then giving in and walking O’Neill was terrible. Then Carpenter, left that pitch up on two strikes when I got three pitches to work with. So yeah, it’s just coming right out of here. That was just not good.”

Interim closer Rowan Wick entered the game with one out as Ross looked for a strikeout, but surrendered a two-run double to Brad Miller giving the Cardinals a 3-1 seventh-inning lead. 

The Cubs only offense on Monday afternoon came from red-hot Ian Happ, who wasn’t in the original lineup for Game 1, but was forced into action after Steven Souza Jr. was scratched due to right hamstring tightness. 

He continued his strong start to 2020, hitting a solo shot off Cardinals starter Kwang Hyun Kim to tie the game at 1. It was Happ’s fourth homer of the year and first from the right side of the plate. 

The Cubs could only muster three hits during Game 1.

“I think he’s done a good job of making an adjustment in the offseason he came in, it’s looked much better since I’ve been the manager here,” Ross said of Happ. “He’s done a really good job from the right side to me. Sometimes opportunity as well, just getting more at-bats, you’re gonna feel more comfortable.”

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