A thick veil of fog rolled over Wrigley Field on Saturday night, delaying the start of the contest by an hour as rain gave way to a damp, misty atmosphere. When the game finally got underway, the St. Louis Cardinals and Chicago Cubs found themselves battling not only each other but the elements.
The Cardinals drew first blood in the second inning when rookie J.J. Wetherholt launched a leadoff homer that set the tone. Wetherholt added a double later in the frame, showcasing the kind of spark that has become a hallmark of his early career. Meanwhile, veteran left‑hander Kyle Leahy took the mound and delivered five crisp innings, allowing just three singles while striking out six and walking two.
St. Louis kept the pressure on, with Ivan Herrera driving in a run with a single up the middle to make it 2‑0, and Alec Burleson capping the rally with an RBI hit that extended the lead. The offense continued to grind, as Jordan Walker doubled to start the eighth and scored on Burleson’s sacrifice, while Pete Crow‑Armstrong reached base four times through a mix of hits, walks and a hit‑by‑pitch.
A Record‑Setting Night
Relief corps proved immaculate; George Soriano, Ryne Stanek, JoJo Romero and Riley O’Brien each tossed a scoreless inning, preserving the shutout. On the other side, Cubs starter Shota Imanaga surrendered two runs on four hits and three walks in 4 2/3 innings, unable to find a rhythm against a disciplined Cardinals lineup.
The final score read 3‑0 in favor of St. Louis, marking the Cardinals’ third straight victory and fifth win in six games. The Cubs, who had enjoyed a five‑game winning streak, fell to their second consecutive loss. With the series finale looming, Cardinals left‑hander Matthew Liberatore is slated to oppose RHP Javier Assad on Sunday.
Wetherholt’s fourth leadoff homer of the season set a new Cardinals rookie record, underscoring the excitement that has built around the young club. As the fog lifted, the crowd lingered, aware they had witnessed a night where pitching, defense and timely hitting converged under unusual conditions.