Soler, Cubs flex muscles in Game 3
The Chicago Cubs powered their way to a record-breaking 2-1 series lead.
Dexter Fowler's solo shot in the eighth inning of Game 3 on Monday was the Cubs' sixth home run of the night, making Joe Maddon's group the first team in MLB history to hit that many homers in a postseason game.
Kyle Schwarber, Starlin Castro, Kris Bryant, Anthony Rizzo, and Jorge Soler also went deep for the Cubs, who defeated the St. Louis Cardinals 8-6 to move one win away from advancing to the National League Championship Series.
Player | Pitcher | Summary/Inning |
---|---|---|
Schwarber | Michael Wacha | Solo HR 2nd |
Castro | Michael Wacha | Solo HR 4th |
Bryant | Michael Wacha | 2-Run HR 5th |
Rizzo | Kevin Siegrist | Solo HR 5th |
Soler | Adam Wainwright | 2-Run HR 6th |
Fowler | Jonathan Broxton | Solo HR 8th |
Soler's sixth-inning blast capped a remarkable two-game stretch for the 23-year-old rookie, who became the first player ever to reach base in his first eight postseason plate appearances. The Cuban slugger homered and doubled in Game 2 before adding two walks, a single, and the homer in Monday's big win.
"To see the ball fly out of the yard as many times as it did was incredible," said Cubs ace Jake Arrieta, who struck out nine before exiting in the sixth.
(Videos courtesy: MLB.com)
The Cubs' offensive outburst was just the third time in the live ball era that hitters one through six in a lineup hit a home run.