Pinch-hitter Mike Tauchman hit a double that brought in Dansby Swanson for the winning run, leading the Chicago Cubs to a 5-4 victory over the St. Louis Cardinals on Thursday night. The Cubs scored three runs in the ninth inning to secure the win.
Chicago was trailing 4-2 when Cody Bellinger hit a solo home run with one out. Nico Hoerner then singled and stole second base with two outs. Swanson followed with an RBI double to tie the game.
Tauchman hit a 2-2 fastball from St. Louis closer Ryan Helsley down the left field line, giving Chicago its second consecutive win.
Both Swanson and Tauchman were behind 0-2 in the count. Helsley had previously saved all five games against the Cubs this season and had 33 saves in total, leading the majors.
With the Cubs down to their last strike, Swanson and Tauchman managed to hit the ball and get on base.
“He made two really good pitches and then at that point, it’s like, if it’s close you gotta put a bat on it,” Tauchman said.
Swanson added, “I feel like the at-bats that entire inning were so good. We were able to come up with some big hits in the end.”
Facing Helsley for a sixth time this season might have helped.
“I think that familiarity can, you know, can kind of breed some confidence,” Tauchman said. “There’s no secrets when you see a guy.”
Helsley (4-4) blew his third save in 36 opportunities by allowing a season-high three runs.
“He’s (Helsley) been really, really good,” St. Louis manager Oliver Marmol said. “It’s hard to put that game on him. This guy has carried us the way through this year. You’re going to have games like that. Unfortunately this one didn’t work out.”
Reliever Nate Pearson (1-1) pitched two scoreless innings to get the win.
Rookie Masyn Winn hit a two-run homer, and Nolan Arenado added an RBI single during a three-run seventh inning that put St. Louis ahead 4-2.
