Chicago Cubs Score and Recap (7/23/23): Cubs 7, Cardinals 2 – Sunday Finally Fun Day

The Cubs offense came through on Sunday to clinch a series win against the Cardinals at a sun-splashed Wrigley Field. Cody Bellinger set the tone again early and another solid pitching performance by Jameson Taillon led the way to an easy victory.

St. Louis starter Jordan Montgomery dropped an Ian Happ tapper for an error to extend the 1st inning for Bellinger, who made the lefty pay with a two-run homer to dead center. Taillon started strong, tossing three shutout innings to begin the game.

Another Cody Bellinger HR?

You better belli-eve it. pic.twitter.com/oq1G0Ekg8S

— Chicago Cubs (@Cubs) July 23, 2023

The Cubs broke it wide open in the bottom of the 3rd scoring five runs. Two walks and a single loaded the bases with one out for Bellinger, who hit a sacrifice fly for his third RBI. Dansby Swanson followed with a run-scoring single to make it 4-0.

The North Siders kept pouring it on with a two-RBI double off the bat of Yan Gomes and even Trey Mancini got in on the fun with a two-bagger to end the onslaught with the home team ahead 7-0. Taillon pitched into the 6th inning and only allowed a single run for his third consecutive solid start.

The Cardinals would add another late run but the game was never really in doubt and the Cubs cruised to a stress-free win. (Box score)

Key Moment

Chicago’s two-out rally in the 3rd inning basically put the game on ice and was a refreshing change from their struggles with runners in scoring position from earlier in the season.

Why the Cubs Won

The offense continued beating up on Cardinals pitching and they got another good start from Taillon.

Stats That Matter

• Results are definitely improving for the big Cubs righty: 5.2 IP, 1 R, 7 H, 6 K, and 1 BB.
• Swanson has four hits in his first two games back from his bruised heel.
• Bellinger is hitting .452 with seven home runs in the month of July.

Bottom Line

Chicago was able to finish strong on the 10-game homestand to post an overall 6-4 record. It wasn’t quite what they were hoping for but definitely better than it was looking Thursday. If the Cubs are able to get back to .500 before the trade deadline on August 1, they may give Jed Hoyer and company at least the thought of not selling. They still have an outside chance to make things interesting, let’s see if they can do it.

On Deck

The Cubs head across town for a two-game series with the White Sox starting Tuesday at 7:10pm CT. Kyle Hendricks takes the hill against Michael Kopech with a broadcast on Marquee and 670 The Score.