Chicago Cubs Score and Recap (8/17/20, Game 1): Cardinals 3, Cubs 1 (F/7)- Cubs Bats Go Silent in Fourth Straight Loss

The Cubs opened up a five-game series with the Cardinals Monday on the same note they finished the weekend series with Milwaukee. A lack of offense cancelled out a quality pitching effort and Chicago dropped the first game of the doubleheader because they could only muster a single run.

Kyle Hendricks was very sharp early, with his only mistake in the first six innings coming the 3rd on a solo homer from former teammate Dexter Fowler. Ian Happ tied things up with a home run of his own in the 4th.

The Professor ran into a big jam in the final inning of the game and that ended up deciding things. A Paul Goldschmidt double, a walk, and a single loaded the bases with none out. Hendricks got one out before being pulled for Rowan Wick.

Brad Miller stepped to the plate and drilled a two-run double just past the outstretched glove of Albert Almora Jr. in center. The Cubs hitters went down meekly in the bottom of the 7th to seal the 3-1 defeat. (Box score)

Why the Cubs Lost

After a couple early chances, the Cardinals retired the last 12 Cubs batters they faced in order.

Key Moment

Chicago loaded the bases against Kwang Hyun Kim with one out in the 1st. Happ struck out and David Bote grounded out to strand the runners.

Stats That Matter

• Hendricks looked really good before the 7th: 6.1 IP, 3 R, 3 H, 5 K, and 1 BB.
• Javy Báez doubled in the 1st inning after not getting a hit last series.

Bottom Line

The Cubs were not going to keep winning at the pace they were to start 2020, that being said, can’t let the wheels fall off either. Finding a way to win the night cap of Monday’s twin bill would really help.

On Deck

Game 2 starts around 7:15pm CT and also airs on Marquee Sports. Alex Reyes goes for the Cardinals and highly-touted Cubs prospect Tyson Miller makes his MLB debut.