As the season approaches the final two months, each game becomes more magnified for teams in the playoff race. With the St. Louis Cardinals fighting to stay in the race for the NL Central Division, losing a series against the Chicago Cubs is something they simply couldn't afford. However, an Anthony Rizzo homer in the 10th inning sent the Cardinals to a 4-2 loss at Wrigley Field.
The Cardinals wasted a strong start from Adam Wainwright, who allowed only two earned runs in 6.0 innings. Wainwright struck out five batters and really settled down after allowing a run in each of the first two innings. St. Louis rallied from a two-run deficit with runs in the 7th and 8th innings. Carlos Beltran tied the game in the 8th with his 23rd homer of the season. However, the homer from Rizzo off of Trever Rosenthal in the 10th inning allowed the Cubs to win the series.
For updates, stay tuned to SB Nation St. Louis. For more in-depth coverage of this series, visit St. Louis Cardinals blog Viva El Birdos and Cubs blog Bleed Cubbie Blue. And for more from around baseball, check out MLB Daily Dish and Baseball Nation.