Shaky Smith, Shoddy Defense Sink Sox in Series Opener Blowout

But things turned sideways in the second, and fast.

Smith opened the inning by allowing a single to Lars Nootbaar and a walk to Nolan Arenado. Then Miguel Vargas, playing third base, threw away a sac bunt attempt, and Arenado scored from second. 

Smith followed that up by plunking Victor Scott II, surrendering a single to Brendan Donovan, a run-scoring groundout by Mason Winn, and a two-run single by Ivan Herrera and watching the inning collapse into a five-run disaster.

It was 5–1 before most of the 16,974 fans had finished their first beer. And it didn’t get much better from there.

The Cardinals added another run in the fifth on a double steal, with Wilson Contreras sliding in ahead of the throw to make it 6–1. 

The Sox did respond in the bottom half, briefly, when Lenyn Sosa doubled, advanced to third, and scored on a Vinny Capra sacrifice fly.

But that was as close as the South Siders would get.

Cards Pile On

Tyler Alexander came on in the sixth after recording the last two outs in the fifth and promptly gave up a one-out single to Donovan (his fourth hit of the game) and a double to Winn. Herrera then singled home both runners to make it 8–2. 

Alec Burleson added a solo home run in the seventh and an RBI single in the eighth to make it 10-2. Scott II added a two-run homer off Capra in the ninth to make it a dozen for the Cards.

Donovan finished the game 4-for-5, and Herrera drove in four runs just in case you weren’t already annoyed.

News and Notes

• Michael A. Taylor made the highlight reel, leaping at the wall in right field to rob a home run and momentarily save face for the pitching staff.

• Lenyn Sosa returned from his rehab stint at Triple-A and doubled in his first game back, though he also committed an error at first base. Welcome back.

• To make room for Sosa, Chicago optioned Brooks Baldwin to Charlotte . The Sox also sent left-handed reliever Fraser Ellard out on a rehab assignment.

• Plate discipline remains optional: Since walking eight times in their last win (the series opener against Houston), the Sox have drawn exactly eight walks in six games.

What’s On Tap Next

The Sox will try again Wednesday night with right-hander Sean Burke on the mound. He’ll be looking to provide something resembling stability after taking a shellacking in his last start. The Cardinals counter with veteran Sonny Gray.

First pitch is set for 6:40 PM CT and will air on CHSN.