In a game held at London Stadium, the Chicago Cubs defeated the St. Louis Cardinals with a score of 9-1. The matchup marked Major League Baseball’s return to the British capital after a pandemic-related delay.
Ian Happ of the Cubs showcased his power by hitting a pair of solo home runs. His first came in the second inning against Cardinals pitcher Adam Wainwright, sending the ball to straightaway center. Happ then hit another home run to right field in the third inning. This was Happ’s first multihomer game since August 22 of the previous year.
Chicago utilized a series of two-out hits to pile up runs against Wainwright, who struggled in the game. The Cubs’ offensive output, combined with strong pitching from Justin Steele, allowed them to secure the victory. Steele pitched six innings, giving up five hits and striking out eight batters.
The game drew a crowd of 54,662 spectators, the largest attendance for an MLB game this season. The Cubs have been on a winning streak, and with a victory in the following game, they could reach a .500 winning percentage for the first time in over a month.
The Cardinals, who currently hold the last position in the NL Central standings, lost their second consecutive game after a four-game winning streak.
Happ acknowledged the change in the outfield fences since the last MLB game in London four years ago. The first homer cleared the 16-foot fence in center field, which had been pushed back 7 feet. The game proceeded smoothly, unlike the high-scoring affair between the New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox in the previous London game.
Paul Goldschmidt of the Cardinals became the first player in MLB history to play a regular-season game in five different countries. He added Britain to his baseball passport, having previously played in Mexico, Australia, the United States, and Canada.
The game featured changes since the previous London series in 2019, including Brexit and the succession of King Charles III. The teams stood along the foul lines for the playing of “God Save the King” in honor of the new monarch.
In the upcoming series finale, Marcus Stroman, who leads the NL in ERA, is set to start for the Cubs, while Matthew Liberatore will take the mound for the Cardinals after Jack Flaherty was scratched due to hip tightness.
Other MLB finals from Saturday, June 24, 2023:Â
Baltimore 6, Seattle 4 (10)Â
NY Yankees 1, Texas 0Â
Toronto 7, Texas 3
Chicago White Sox 5, Boston 4
NY Mets 4, Philadelphia 2
San Francisco 7, Arizona 6
Atlanta 7, Cincinnati 6
Kansas City 9, Tampa Bay 4
Miami 4, Pittsburgh 3 (11)Â
Washington 2, San Diego 0Â
Detroit 3, Minnesota 2
Cleveland 4, Milwaukee 2
LA Dodgers 8, Houston 7
LA Angels 25, Colorado 1
