Cubs rout Cardinals 9-1 to even series

Michael Busch hit a three-run home run, Matt Shaw added a homer and an RBI triple, and the Chicago Cubs routed the St. Louis Cardinals 9-1 Saturday night.

After getting shut out 5-0 in Friday’s series opener, the Cubs built a six-run lead against Andre Pallante (6-9) by the second inning.

Colin Rea (9-5) allowed one run in six innings, and Carson Kelly and Dansby Swanson each had three of Chicago’s 13 hits.

In the second inning, Busch made it 5-0 by hitting his 22nd homer of the season — his sixth in 34 at-bats during eight games against St. Louis this season.

Busch hit four home runs during a three-game stretch when the Cardinals visited Wrigley Field last month, but he’d hit only three more in 25 games since.

Pallante allowed six runs on seven hits in 1 2/3 innings, his shortest outing in 53 career starts.

The Cubs send LHP Shota Imanaga (8-4, 3.12 ERA) against Cardinals RHP Sonny Gray (10-5, 4.21) in the series finale Sunday.



(AP Photo Jeff Roberson)