Carpenter stays red-hot, Cardinals rally again for 8th straight win
The St. Louis Cardinals are so accustomed to playing postseason baseball that they're already recreating the dramatics in early May.
Matt Carpenter hit a game-tying three-run homer, five relievers combined to throw 4 2/3 scoreless innings, and the Cardinals extended their winning streak to eight with yet another come-from-behind victory over the Chicago Cubs on Tuesday.
(Courtesy: MLB.com)
Carpenter, whose homer in the fifth tied the game at four, became the first player to collect 20 extra-base hits in the team's first 26 games since Stan Musial in 1954. The Cardinals third baseman went 1-for-3 with four RBI to improve his season slash line to a robust .346/.412/.644.
The Cardinals' latest victory is their fifth straight comeback - following four consecutive one-run games - and secures St. Louis its longest winning streak since 2010.
Other notables, courtesy of MLB.com, include:
- It's the Cardinals best start through 26 games in franchise history
- St. Louis is the first team to win 20 of its first 26 games since the 2003 New York Yankees
- The Cardinals (20-6) boast the best record in the majors and top run differential in the National League
- The victory improves St. Louis to 15-4 this season against the NL Central and ensures its ninth straight undefeated series
The Cardinals will look to clinch their eighth consecutive series win Wednesday when Lance Lynn takes the mound opposite Cubs left-hander Jon Lester.