Cardinals Beat Cubs, Pull Closer in NL Central

The St. Louis Cardinals defeated the Chicago Cubs 8-7 on Tuesday, marking their seventh win in eight games and narrowing the NL Central lead to just 2.5 games behind the Cubs. Masyn Winn led the Cardinals with a two-run homer and a two-run double, while Lars Nootbaar and Nolan Gorman also homered. A pivotal four-run rally in the fourth inning, helped by a defensive error from Cubs center fielder Pete Crow-Armstrong, allowed Winn to score a key run. Despite some pitching struggles, the Cardinals held on for the win, with Ryan Helsley earning his 15th save. The Cubs have now allowed 54 runs over their last six games, losing five of those, as they struggle to contain the Cardinals' offense. The series continues with Cubs' left-hander Matthew Boyd facing Cardinals' right-hander Erick Fedde.