The Cardinals increase their lead to 6-0 against the Cubs when Tyler O'Neill destroys a home run that left the stadium. (0:31).
CHICAGO -- Friday's 8-5 win over the Chicago Cubs in Game 1 was enough to tie the New York Yankees with the Oakland Athletics for the longest winning streak of the season.
Since joining the National League in 1892, the Cardinals have won 13 consecutive victories. They won 14 consecutive games in 1935.
J.A., Friday's Game 1 starter, said "We're aware". Happ said this after the game. The good thing is to keep your eyes on the prize. This is the stuff (win streaks), that happens when things are going well and you're part of a great team.
Three two-run home runs helped the Cardinals. In the third inning, Paul Goldschmidt, first baseman, scored his 30th home run of the year. Jose Rondon, pinch hitter, went deep in the fifth. Tyler O'Neill, outfielder, hit his 30th in the fifth. The Cardinals now have three 30-homer hitters, and third baseman Nolan Arenado has 33.
Happ was asked by Happ if the team could appreciate the length of the win streak even though it was in its middle. The Cardinals are eighth team to have a streak of 13 games or more in September (or earlier).
He said, "We're still at the middle of this thing [playoff race], coming down to it]." "We still feel it. It's not pressure, but the need for us to perform with focus. We are in a great place to do that.
St. Louis's only negative news from Game 1 was that shortstop Edmundo Sosa has left the game following being hit with a pitch in his hand. The results of X-rays were negative.
Manager Mike Shildt stated, "Thankfully, it appears like no fracture." It was definitely scary to see.
Shildt suggested that Sosa might be out for three to five days. The Cardinals had a 4.5-game advantage over the Philadelphia Phillies entering Game 2 of Friday's doubleheader.
