It looked like the Cards were going to shutout the Cubs for a 2nd straight night.  Although the Cubs were able to score their 1st run of the series on Micah Hoffpauir’s 9th inning pinch-hit single, Cards closer Ryan Franklin struck out Reed Johnson with the tying run on 3rd base to preserve the Cards 2-1 win over the Cubs.  Cards ace Chris Carpenter made is 1st start in almost a month and held the Cubs to just 3 hits and 2 walks through 5 innings (67 pitches).  Carpenter struck out 4 and picked up his 2nd win of the season.

Ryan Dempster pitched a solid game, but it wasn’t enough – 7 innings, 103 pitches, 2 ER, 6 hits, 2 walks and 3 K’s.  For the 2nd straight night, the Cubs failed to capitalize on a starting pitcher’s quality start.  Carlos Marmol worked a 1-2-3 8th inning to keep the Cubs within striking distance in the 9th inning, but it wasn’t meant to be.

The Cubs bats – or lack thereof – was the big story, however.  The Cubs only mustered 6 total hits – 2 of them coming from pinch-hitters.  The Cubs only have 1 regular hitting over .300 – Kosuke Fukodome at .319.  Not good.

The Cubs will rely on Sean Marshall to prevent the Cubs from getting swept in St. Louis and losing 4 games in a row overall.  He will take on Adam Wainwright who has always pitched well against the Cubs.