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Wong's walk-off HR lifts St. Louis past Chicago, 8-6

ST. LOUIS (AP) - For the St. Louis Cardinals, there's more importance to their early season games with the Chicago Cubs this year than most seasons.

The games are about St. Louis putting to rest any leftover doubts after a dismal 5-14 record against its rival a year ago.

The Cardinals showed on Saturday they aren't about to just lie down and let the Cubs cruise to a third straight National League Central title. Kolten Wong hit a two-run homer in the 10th inning to cap an 8-6 win, one which had all the back-and-forth of a postseason affair rather than an early May contest.

Wong's game-ending blast put the finishing touch on a game in which St. Louis trailed 4-0 after one inning and by two runs entering the bottom of the ninth. Both times the Cardinals recovered on their way to a fourth straight win, along with wining for the third time in four games against Chicago this season.

"I've never (played) in the World Series or those kinds of games," St. Louis outfielder Marcell Ozuna said. "This feels like more than a regular game."

Ozuna tied the game in the ninth inning with a two-run double off Chicago closer Brandon Morrow, who allowed his first runs of the season. An inning later, it was Wong who sent a 1-1 pitcher from Luke Farrell (1-1) into the right field seats for the game winner.

"We would have loved a double, and the homer was even better," St. Louis manager Mike Matheny said.

Wong's game-ending home run is the third of his career, his first since a victory over Pittsburgh on May 3, 2015.

The blast made a winner out of reliever Tyler Lyons (1-0), and it sent Chicago to a season-worst fourth loss in a row. Anthony Rizzo homered for a third time in four games for the Cubs, who lost despite scoring more than three runs in a game for the first time since April 24th.

Javier Baez added his eighth home run in the loss for Chicago, which had won five games in a row before its current losing stretch.

"They're a good team, they're always a good team," Rizzo said. "They put together hits, they put together rallies and it's a good group of guys and they play hard."

INJURED CARDINALS

Center fielder Tommy Pham, catcher Yadier Molina and Norris were all taken out of Saturday's game with injuries. Pham, who is hitting .327 and has scored 24 runs this season, was taken out in the second inning with right groin tightness. Molina was lifted in the eighth inning after being hit in the groin by a tipped 102-mph pitch from reliever Jordan Hicks, and Norris had to exit after getting the first two outs of the 10th because of tightness in his triceps. Matheny said all three would be evaluated on Sunday.

MORROW'S SORROW

Chicago had been 14-0 when leading after six innings this season, thanks in large part to a bullpen that was third in the National League with a combined 2.57 ERA. Morrow had thrown 10 scoreless innings in his first season with the Cubs before allowing the two ninth-inning runs on Saturday, and the runs ended his overall scoreless streak of 18 1/3 innings that dated back to last season.

CHATWOOD'S WALKS

Cubs starter Tyler Chatwood walked five batters while allowing three earned runs in four innings of work. The former Colorado Rockies starter has now walked 27 batters in 32 2/3 innings this season, though his ERA still stands at a respectable 3.31. "It's delivery-related because he's pretty tough," Chicago manager Joe Maddon said. "I just think he needs to find that rhythm."

TRAINER'S ROOM

Cubs: Chicago manager Joe Maddon said there was no updated on the progress of reliever Eddie Butler, who has been on the disabled list since April 20th with a right groin strain. Butler is 0-1 with a 4.30 ERA in six games this season.

Cardinals: St. Louis manager Mike Matheny said reliever Dominic Leone is likely headed to the disabled list after exiting Friday night's game during warmups with cramping in his right biceps. Matheny said Leone's arm is "structurally" healthy, and that the Cardinals wanted to wait a day before making a roster move to see how Leone responded. Leone is 1-2 with a 4.15 ERA in 15 appearances this season.

UP NEXT

Cubs: Jon Lester (3-2, 2.73 ERA) didn't allow an earned run 5 2/3 innings in his last start, a Chicago win over Colorado. The left-hander will try and continue his resurgent season when the Cubs close out their series against St. Louis on Sunday night.

Cardinals: Michael Wacha has allowed two or fewer runs in four of his last five starts, and he'll get the start for St. Louis against the Cubs on Sunday night. The right-hander is 4-1 with a 3.62 ERA this season.

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More AP baseball: https://apnews.com/tag/MLBbaseball

Chicago Cubs starting pitcher Tyler Chatwood delivers during the first inning of a baseball against the St. Louis Cardinals game Saturday, May 5, 2018, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast) The Associated Press
Chicago Cubs starting pitcher Tyler Chatwood delivers during the first inning of a baseball against the St. Louis Cardinals game Saturday, May 5, 2018, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast) The Associated Press
St. Louis Cardinals starting pitcher Luke Weaver delivers during the first inning of a baseball game against the Chicago Cubs Saturday, May 5, 2018, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast) The Associated Press
Chicago Cubs' Tyler Chatwood lays down a sacrifice bunt off a pitch from St. Louis Cardinals starting pitcher Luke Weaver during the second inning of a baseball game Saturday, May 5, 2018, in St. Louis. Addison Russell was called out at home on the play but it was reversed after video review. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast) The Associated Press
St. Louis Cardinals catcher Yadier Molina, left, goes to tag out Chicago Cubs' Addison Russell at home off a bunt by Tyler Chatwood during the second inning of a baseball game Saturday, May 5, 2018, in St. Louis. The play was overturned on video review. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast) The Associated Press
St. Louis Cardinals starting pitcher Luke Weaver delivers during the first inning of a baseball game against the Chicago Cubs Saturday, May 5, 2018, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast) The Associated Press
Chicago Cubs' Javier Baez grounds out to St. Louis Cardinals' Matt Carpenter during the second inning of a baseball game Saturday, May 5, 2018, in St. Louis. Kyle Schwarber scored on the play. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast) The Associated Press
Chicago Cubs left fielder Ben Zobrist watches his RBI single off St. Louis Cardinals starting pitcher Luke Weaver during the second inning of a baseball game Saturday, May 5, 2018, in St. Louis. Jason Heyward scored on the play. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast) The Associated Press
Chicago Cubs' Anthony Rizzo watches his RBI single off St. Louis Cardinals starting pitcher Luke Weaver during the second inning of a baseball game Saturday, May 5, 2018, in St. Louis. Tyler Chatwood scored on the play. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast) The Associated Press
St. Louis Cardinals' Yadier Molina loses control of his bat as he strikes out to end the third inning of a baseball game Chicago Cubs Saturday, May 5, 2018, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast) The Associated Press
St. Louis Cardinals' Dexter Fowler celebrates in the dugout after scoring on a sacrifice fly by Greg Garcia during the fourth inning of a baseball game against the Chicago Cubs Saturday, May 5, 2018, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast) The Associated Press
St. Louis Cardinals' Harrison Bader hits into a force attempt during the fourth inning of a baseball game against the Chicago Cubs Saturday, May 5, 2018, in St. Louis. Bader was safe at first on a throwing error by Anthony Rizzo that scored Paul DeJong. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast) The Associated Press
St. Louis Cardinals' Kolten Wong (16) and Harrison Bader celebrate after scoring on a double by Matt Carpenter during the fourth inning of a baseball game against the Chicago Cubs Saturday, May 5, 2018, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast) The Associated Press
St. Louis Cardinals' Paul DeJong celebrates in the dugout after scoring on a throwing error by Chicago Cubs' Anthony Rizzo during the fourth inning of a baseball game Saturday, May 5, 2018, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast) The Associated Press
Chicago Cubs' Javier Baez celebrates his home run off St. Louis Cardinals relief pitcher Ryan Sherriff during the sixth inning of a baseball game Saturday, May 5, 2018, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast) The Associated Press
St. Louis Cardinals' Matt Carpenter watches his two-run double off Chicago Cubs starting pitcher Tyler Chatwood during the fourth inning of a baseball game Saturday, May 5, 2018, in St. Louis. Kolten Wong and Harrison Bader scored on the play. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast) The Associated Press
Chicago Cubs starting pitcher Tyler Chatwood leaves a baseball game against the St. Louis Cardinals during the fifth inning Saturday, May 5, 2018, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast) The Associated Press
St. Louis Cardinals relief pitcher Ryan Sherriff reacts after giving up a home run to Chicago Cubs' Javier Baez during the sixth inning of a baseball game Saturday, May 5, 2018, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast) The Associated Press
St. Louis Cardinals center fielder Harrison Bader catches a fly ball by Chicago Cubs' Ian Happ during the sixth inning of a baseball game Saturday, May 5, 2018, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast) The Associated Press
Chicago Cubs' Anthony Rizzo (44) is greeted outside the dugout by manager Joe Maddon, left, and bench coach Brandon Hyde after his home run during the seventh inning of a baseball game against the St. Louis Cardinals, Saturday, May 5, 2018, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast) The Associated Press
St. Louis Cardinals trainer Chris Conroy, left, and manager Mike Matheny (22) walk with catcher Yadier Molina back to the dugout after Molina was injured during the ninth inning of the team's baseball game against the Chicago Cubs on Saturday, May 5, 2018, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast) The Associated Press
St. Louis Cardinals trainer Chris Conroy, left, and manager Mike Matheny (22) walk with catcher Yadier Molina back to the dugout after Molina was injured during the ninth inning of the team's baseball game against the Chicago Cubs on Saturday, May 5, 2018, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast) The Associated Press
St. Louis Cardinals trainer Chris Conroy, left, and manager Mike Matheny (22) tend to catcher Yadier Molina after Molina was injured on a pitch during the ninth inning of a baseball game against the Chicago Cubs, Saturday, May 5, 2018, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast) The Associated Press
St. Louis Cardinals' Kolten Wong celebrates his walk-off two-run home run off Chicago Cubs relief pitcher Luke Farrell (59) during the 10th inning of a baseball game against the Chicago Cubs on Saturday, May 5, 2018, in St. Louis. The Cardinals won 8-6. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast) The Associated Press
St. Louis Cardinals' Kolten Wong looks into the dugout and celebrates his walk-off two-run home run during the 10th inning of a baseball game against the Chicago Cubs, Saturday, May 5, 2018, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast) The Associated Press
St. Louis Cardinals' Kolten Wong, right, is congratulated by teammates at home plate after he hit a walk-off two-run home run in the 10th inning against the Chicago Cubs in a baseball game Saturday, May 5, 2018, in St. Louis. (Chris Lee/St. Louis Post-Dispatch via AP) The Associated Press
St. Louis Cardinals' Kolten Wong celebrates his walkoff two-run home run during the 10th inning of a baseball game against the Chicago Cubs, Saturday, May 5, 2018, in St. Louis. The Cardinals won 8-6. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast) The Associated Press
St. Louis Cardinals' Kolten Wong tosses his helmet as he celebrates his walk-off two-run home run during the 10th inning of a baseball game against the Chicago Cubs on Saturday, May 5, 2018, in St. Louis. The Cardinals won 8-6. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast) The Associated Press
St. Louis Cardinals' Harrison Bader, left, and Jose Martinez celebrate after scoring off a double by Marcell Ozuna in the bottom of the ninth inning of a baseball game against the Chicago Cubs, Saturday, May 5, 2018, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast) The Associated Press
St. Louis Cardinals' Kolten Wong (16) celebrates his walkoff home run with teammates Carlos Martinez (18), Jose Martinez (38) and Matt Carpenter during the 10th inning of a baseball game against the Chicago Cubs, Saturday, May 5, 2018, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast) The Associated Press
St. Louis Cardinals' Kolten Wong (16) celebrates his walkoff home run with teammates Carlos Martinez (18), Jose Martinez (38) and Matt Carpenter during the 10th inning of a baseball game against the Chicago Cubs, Saturday, May 5, 2018, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast) The Associated Press
St. Louis Cardinals' Kolten Wong watches his walkoff two-run home run during the 10th inning of a baseball game against the Chicago Cubs, Saturday, May 5, 2018, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast) The Associated Press
St. Louis Cardinals' Kolten Wong looks into the dugout and celebrates his walk-off two-run home run during the 10th inning of a baseball game against the Chicago Cubs on Saturday, May 5, 2018, in St. Louis. The Cardinals won 8-6. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast) The Associated Press
St. Louis Cardinals' Kolten Wong watches his walkoff two-run home run during the 10th inning of a baseball game against the Chicago Cubs, Saturday, May 5, 2018, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast) The Associated Press
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