Alex Bregman returned to form in a major way Monday night, delivering one of his strongest performances of the season as the Chicago Cubs defeated the St. Louis Cardinals 7-3 at Busch Stadium. After enduring a difficult stretch at the plate, the veteran third baseman broke out with four hits, including a home run and two doubles, while driving in two runs and crossing the plate three times to help lead Chicago to another important victory.
The game did not begin on schedule because heavy rain delayed first pitch by one hour and 46 minutes. Once play finally got underway, however, the Cubs wasted little time taking control offensively, producing 14 hits and consistently putting pressure on the Cardinals’ pitching staff.
Bregman entered the contest searching for answers after going hitless over his previous three games. His recent struggles included an 0-for-12 stretch, and he was given Sunday off in an effort to reset mentally and physically. The brief break appeared to do the trick, as he looked comfortable from his first plate appearance and quickly reminded everyone why Chicago invested heavily in him during the offseason.
His first contribution came in the opening inning when he lined an RBI double that brought Seiya Suzuki home to give the Cubs an early 1-0 advantage. Chicago continued to build momentum in the second inning as Miguel Amaya delivered an RBI single, extending the lead to two runs.
The Cardinals responded in the bottom half of the second. José Fermín attacked the first pitch he saw and launched a towering solo home run into the upper deck in left field, cutting Chicago’s lead to 2-1 and giving the home crowd hope.
Any momentum St. Louis gained was short-lived. Leading off the third inning, Bregman once again attacked the first pitch he faced, sending it over the wall in right field for his 11th home run of the season. The solo blast restored the Cubs’ two-run cushion and highlighted the turnaround in his performance. Chicago has displayed impressive power recently, hitting 12 home runs over its last 11 games.
The Cubs continued to capitalize on scoring opportunities throughout the night. In the fifth inning, Nico Hoerner delivered a clutch two-run single that increased the lead to 5-1. Hoerner enjoyed an outstanding offensive performance of his own, finishing with four hits. He later added a two-run homer in the ninth inning to put the game out of reach and complete an impressive night at the plate.
While the offense received most of the attention, Chicago also got a solid outing from starting pitcher David Peterson. The left-hander worked 5 2/3 innings, allowing only two runs on three hits. He struck out two batters and issued two walks while earning his sixth victory of the season. Peterson has settled in nicely since joining the Cubs following his June trade from the New York Mets, giving the club another dependable option in the rotation.
On the opposite side, Cardinals starter Matthew Liberatore struggled to slow down Chicago’s lineup. He surrendered three runs on eight hits and walked two over 3 2/3 innings before leaving the game with St. Louis trailing. The Cubs consistently made hard contact and forced him into difficult situations throughout his outing.
The Cardinals attempted to mount a comeback in the sixth inning. Masyn Winn and Bryan Torres each drove in a run to narrow the deficit, but Chicago’s bullpen prevented any further damage. The Cubs maintained control before Hoerner’s late home run provided additional insurance.
The victory continued Chicago’s strong run of form. The Cubs have now won eight of their last 12 games and remain one of the hotter teams since the second half of the season began. Their balanced attack, featuring timely hitting, reliable starting pitching and effective bullpen work, has helped them build momentum during an important stretch of the schedule.
St. Louis, meanwhile, continues to search for consistency. Since the All-Star break, the Cardinals have struggled to generate sustained success, posting a 3-8 record. Their recent slide has become even more concerning, as they have dropped 14 of their last 20 games. Offensive inconsistency and pitching issues have combined to make victories difficult to come by.
Bregman’s breakout performance was particularly encouraging for Chicago. Signed to a five-year, $175 million contract before the season, expectations have been high for the veteran infielder. Nights like this demonstrate the impact he can have when he is producing at the plate, giving the Cubs another dangerous bat in an already productive lineup.
The series will continue with Chicago expected to send right-hander Colin Rea to the mound. Rea enters his next start with a 7-7 record and a 4.85 ERA. The Cardinals had not announced a starting pitcher for the following game at the time of the report, leaving uncertainty over who will attempt to help the club even the series.
For now, the Cubs will gladly celebrate an all-around performance highlighted by Bregman’s return to form. His offensive explosion, combined with Hoerner’s four-hit game and Peterson’s steady work on the mound, proved more than enough as Chicago earned a convincing road victory over its longtime division rival.
