Starlin Castro homered, drove in four runs and scored three times as the Cubs cut down the Cardinals, 8-5, in St. Louis. Anthony Rizzo went deep and plated three for Chicago, which has won five in-a-row. Jason Hammel tossed six-plus innings of three-run ball to improve to 8-and-6. Hector Rondon collected his 27th save. Randal Grichuk hit a two-run homer during a five-run fifth for the Cards, who will try to avoid a three-game sweep Wednesday. Michael Wacha allowed six runs in only four innings to fall to 15-and-5.
The Cubs look for the 3-game sweep this afternoon in St. Louis.