Chicago Cubs Score and Recap (8/19/20, Game 1): Cardinals 9, Cubs 3 – Happ Leadoff Homer Isn’t Nearly Enough as Mills Falters Early

Despite forcing Cardinals ace Jack Flaherty out of the game in the 2nd inning, the Cubs offense could never get anything going in the first game of the doubleheader at Wrigley and dropped it by a score of 9-3.

If you had told Cubs fans that Flaherty would have been out of the game in the 2nd, you would not have thought the score to be 5-1 bad guys at the time. Yet, that’s exactly what it was as Ian Happ’s leadoff home run against Flaherty served as the Cubs’ sole run until Josh Phegley blasted a two-run bomb in the bottom of the 7th when the game was out of reach.

Alec Mills was not sharp in this one, putting the Cubs in a hole early when he allowed a 1st inning grand slam to Matt Carpenter. While he was able to eat some innings after that, he gave up a couple more before Duane Underwood Jr. and Jason Adam both allowed runs of their own.

The good news is it was only 7 innings and the Cubs didn’t blow up their bullpen in this first one. (Box score)

Why the Cubs Lost

Giving up a grand slam before your club even gets to bat makes it really hard to win. Not getting a hit for six innings doesn’t help, either.

Key Moment

Carpenter’s bomb to center was the early death knell.

Stats That Matter

• Mills gave up lots of hard contact and his command was not good: 3.2 IP, 7 H, 6 ER, 2 BB, and 1 K is not gonna win many ballgames.
• Happ continued his hot hitting with a leadoff home run and now has six home runs and 14 RBI on the season.
• Outside of Happ, the Cubs starting lineup went 0-for-16 in this game.

Bottom Line

Despite looking anemic in the first game of the twin bill, the Cubs get a chance to get right back on the horse and win the series in the nightcap.

On Deck

Cubs don’t have to wait long for their next game as Adbert Alzolay takes the ball for the Cubs against righthander Johan Oviedo for the Cardinals. This game can be seen on Marquee and heard on 670 The Score.