St. Louis Cardinals split first two games of Cubs series

The St. Louis Cardinals were shut out Friday afternoon in a 7-0 loss but came back on Saturday to shut out the Chicago Cubs with a 4-0 victory.
Aug 17, 2013; Chicago, IL, USA; St. Louis Cardinals pitcher Joe Kelly (58) throws a pitch during the first inning against the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field. Image Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports
The Cardinals were limited in what they could do on Friday, despite the fact that top prospect Kolten Wong made his Major League Baseball debut. Chicago Cubs starter Jake Arrieta limited the Cardinals to 2 hits in 7 innings. The Cardinals couldn’t take care of anything in the 2 innings that they faced the Cubs bullpen.

Jake Westbrook, who took to the mound on Friday, pitched 6.2 innings and got hammered by the Cubs. All 7 Cubs runs were credited to the starter. Sam Freeman relieved him to finish the game. Freeman was optioned down for Memphis following the game and Tyler Lyons has been recalled.

On Saturday, Joe Kelly got the start. Since coming back into the rotation, Kelly is 4-0. Prior to rejoining the rotation, he had been 0-3 in relief. Dating back to June 18th, Kelly is 4-0 with a 1.92 ERA.

Kelly pitched 6 innings. He allowed 4 hits, 3 walks and struck out 6 batters.

Seth Maness pitched one inning and struck out 2 batters. Randy Choate allowed had a flawless 8th inning and came out to start the 9th. After Choate allowed a hit, Michael Wacha pitched the rest of the 9th inning and struck out all 3 batters that he faced.

Matt Carpenter, Carlos Beltran, and Jon Jay all had doubles. Yadier Molina added a 2-run home run in the 6th inning.