Cubs score 5 runs in 2nd inning, cruise to 7-2 victory over Cardinals

CHICAGO — St. Louis Cardinals starting pitcher John Gant couldn’t get the Chicago Cubs to chase out of the zone.

The Cubs patiently waited for Gant to attack them instead of nibbling around the plate during the second inning. In the process, they recorded five walks to spark a five-run inning en route to a 7-2 win at Wrigley Field.

The victory sets up the Cubs (37-27) to go for the three-game sweep against the Cardinals (32-32) on Sunday night.

Ian Happ’s two-run homer in the second erased the Cardinals’ 1-0 lead. Kris Bryant’s bases-loaded walk on a full count brought home a run, ending Gant’s night. Javier Báez welcomed right-hander Jake Woodford with an RBI single to center field, and Anthony Rizzo was hit with a first-pitch curveball to cap the five-run inning.

Joc Pederson’s solo homer in the fourth gave him three consecutive games with a home run.

Right-hander Kyle Hendricks went six innings, allowing two solo home runs. Craig Kimbrel entered the ninth with two outs and the bases loaded, earning the save by inducing a groundout.