Cubs use three-position players as pitchers to defeat the Cardinals 18-5

If the Cubs prayed for rain, give their credit.

Nothing but what they tried Friday

You know it's a tough day when Tommy La Stella is called as a pitcher, inserted in the sixth round to save the paddock with its 70s cheese. And when catcher Victor Caratini and outfielder Ian Happ close it. And when Jon Lester gives up eight races. And when the mic comes out on country music singer / guest chef Canaan Smith.

Louis won 18-5 while 11 Cardinals reached the base. However, they really needed only one man: The first baseman Matt Carpenter went 5-in-5 with three homers and two doubles.

The last great player to do that? Kris Bryant, in 2016.

And before that? No one.

Carpenter's first explosion was epic, an exit from the videoboard in the right field. He again dominated Lester in the second end and took his compatriot Brian Duensing in the sixth end.

His 16 total goals equaled the Cardinals franchise record. He also tied Lou Brock's Cardinals record with his 21st draw tops the career.

But enough about this southern team that was likely to fall to 0. 500.

The problems of the Cubs occurred in the first period, when Lester did not receive the call on a 2-2 pitch near the outside corner. Carpenter hammered his next offering and Lester was excited enough to have a few words for Ben May, the marble umpire.

Of course, this was not the problem. Lester threw 86 shots and got only one shot. The June pitcher (5-0, 1.13 ERA) withdrew nine batters, allowing seven hits and walking five.

Hard Time For Lester, Who Will Host Her Annual Charity Event, Benefiting From Pediatric Cancer Research, Friday Night At Joe's Bar On Weed Street

Maybe That Will Help Give A Perspective to everyone: It was only a loss. And it's a game.

The Cubs had some bright spots between two showers. Willson Contreras dominated his first game back from the All-Star festivities, and Kris Bryant went deep for the 11th time this season.

Caratini managed to amuse what was left of the Wrigley Field crowd by launching Cardinals hitters in the eighth. He allowed two runs. Happ worked a ninth goalless.

Coming back to at least 1907, the Cubs had never sent more than one position player to the mound in a game. On Fridays, they used three

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