Cubs' Jason Hammel: Battered by Cardinals in Saturday loss

Hammel (15-10) gave up six earned runs on six hits and a walk over 2.1 innings in a 10-4 loss to the Cardinals on Saturday. He struck out two.

Analysis:

The veteran fell victim to a Cardinals team that's been dangerous against right-handers all season, with the majority of his problems coming in the first inning. Yadier Molina got the scoring started with a two-run double and the red-hot Randal Grichuk followed by driving in two on a single. Hammel also saw Stephen Piscotty take him deep with a solo shot in the second, while Grichuk came back to tag Mike Montgomery for a two-bagger in the third that drove in Jhonny Peralta, the final run that went on Hammel's ledger. The 34-year-old has endured an up-and-down September, giving up 20 earned runs over 20.2 innings and dropping three of four decisions in the process. He'll look to build some positive momentum for the postseason when he takes on the Reds next Friday.