CHICAGO (AP) — Kris Bryant had three hits, including his 27th homer, and the Chicago Cubs overcame the ejections of John Lackey and Willson Contreras on their way to an 8-2 victory over the St. Louis Cardinals on Friday.
Bryant went deep in the fourth and singled twice in Chicago’s seven-run sixth, helping the NL Central leaders open a big weekend series on a winning note. The Cubs moved four games ahead of St. Louis.
Lackey and Contreras were tossed after arguing with plate umpire Jordan Baker in the fifth inning Friday.
The Cardinals had runners on first and second with two out when Lackey screamed at Baker after he called a ball on a 2-2 pitch to Carlos Martinez near the knees and outside corner. Martinez lined the next pitch for an RBI single. Lackey screamed again at the umpire as he ran toward the plate.
Contreras also got into it with Baker and slammed the catcher’s mask to the ground.
Justin Wilson relieved Lackey, and Alex Avila replaced Contreras.
After outscoring the New York Mets 39-14 in a three-game sweep, the Cubs got enough big hits to improve to 9-4 against the Cardinals this year.
