Watch: Cubs bunt, homer, take 5–1 lead over Cards in NLDS Game 2
The Chicago Cubs used small ball and the long ball to score five runs in the second inning and take the lead over the Cardinals in Game 2 of the NLDS.
Down 1–0 with one out and runners on the corners, manager Joe Maddon had pitcher Kyle Hendricks lay down a safety squeeze with runners on first and third. St. Louis starter Jaime Garcia was indecisive after fielding the ball and committed a throwing error, allowing Austin Jackson to score. The following batter, shortstop Addison Russell, laid down a second consecutive squeeze bunt to give the Cubs a 2–1 lead.
Dexter Fowler then became the third Cubs player to reach base without hitting the ball out of the infield, driving in a run on a grounder that Cardinals shortstop Jhonny Peralta was unable to make a play on.
The following batter, Jorge Soler, then crushed a two-run home run to centerfield, giving Chicago a 5–1 lead.
Lance Lynn relieved Garcia in the third inning.
- Kenny Ducey
