Kilian debuts as Cubs split doubleheader with Cardinals

Caleb Kilian probably couldn't tell you what he got for his 5th, 10th or 15th birthdays.

But this year - when Kilian turned 25 - he'll always remember getting the best phone call of his life. It came from the Cubs on Thursday when they told him: Hey. Get ready. Because you'll be making your major-league debut on national television against the Cardinals on Saturday.

"It was the best birthday present ever," Kilian said.

Although the Cubs lost 7-4 in 10 innings, the California native had an ear-to-ear smile during almost all of his postgame interview.

"Coolest ballpark ever," Kilian said. "What a place to debut. ... It was breathtaking when I first walked out there to see this place."

Kilian was acquired from the Giants last year as part of the Kris Bryant trade. He was 2-0 with a 2.06 ERA at Triple-A Iowa and was called up to start the second game of Saturday's doubleheader. The Cubs won the opener 6-1.

The 6-foot-4, 180-pound Kilian was pretty nervous Friday night, admitting he could hear his heartbeat as he tried to fall asleep. By the time Saturday rolled around, though, Kilian settled down and had a day to remember.

"I'm glad I was able to fall asleep and get some rest," Kilian said. "I think most of the nerves were actually yesterday."

Kilian retired the first nine batters he faced - striking out four - but got into trouble in the fourth by walking leadoff man Tommy Edman on four pitches.

Paul Goldschmidt then hit a one-out single and Nolan Arenado drew a walk to load the bases.

A visit from pitching coach Tommy Hottovy seemed to settle Kilian down as he threw back-to-back strikes to Brendan Donovan. The next pitch was in the dirt, however, and allowed Edman to score.

Donovan then ripped a 2-RBI double to give the Cardinals a 3-1 lead.

"I tried too hard with the curveball (and) yanked it down," Kilian said of the wild pitch. "Then I was supposed to get that sinker in - maybe like front hip it. But it kind of leaked over the plate and right to his barrel unfortunately.

"Two strikes, it hurts. I should be better than that, but it happens."

Kilian wriggled out of more trouble, then gave up just a two-out hit in the fifth before calling it a night.

All in all it was an awfully impressive debut.

"I wish I could have done better that fourth inning, but overall I think this was such a good debut (and) such an awesome time," Kilian said. "Best day of my life. Thank you, Jesus."

The Cubs tied things up in the sixth on an RBI single from Jason Heyward and a two-out double by Christopher Morel, who extended his on-base streak to 19 games.

The Cubs (23-31) had a chance to win it in the ninth after Ian Happ doubled with two outs and Frank Schwindel was intentionally walked, but Patrick Wisdom struck out.

Donovan gave the Cardinals (31-23) a 5-3 lead in the 10th with another 2-run double, this time off Michael Rucker.

Morel went 5-for-9 with 2 doubles, 2 RBI and 2 runs scored in the doubleheader.

Game 1:

Matt Swarmer earned his first major-league victory, allowing just 1 run, 2 hits and 2 walks in 6 innings as the Cubs beat the Cardinals 6-1 in the opener of Saturday's doubleheader. Swarmer, making his second big-league start, has given up just 2 earned runs in 12 innings. He became the first Cubs pitcher since Gene Lillard in 1939 to begin his career with two straight starts of 6-plus innings while allowing 1 run or fewer.

Frank Schwindel (3-for-5, HR), Christopher Morel (3-for-5, double, RBI), Nico Hoerner (2-for-3, 2 runs) and Nick Madrigal (2-for-3) all had multihit games.

Schwindel's eighth home run of the season gave the Cubs a 2-0 lead in the bottom of the fifth.

Cardinals slugger Paul Goldschmidt went 0-for-2 and saw his 25-game hitting streak end. He was one of 11 Cardinals with a hitting streak of at least 25 games since 1901.

Albert Pujols (0-for-3, BB) appeared in his 3,000th game, one game behind Cal Ripken Jr. for ninth all time.

Around the horn:

Mark Leiter Jr. was optioned to Triple-A Iowa on Saturday. ... To make room for Caleb Kilian on the 40-man roster the Cubs designated LHP Conner Menez for assignment.