ke it 81-69 with 2:08 to play.Yettra Specks | Forum

CHICAGO -- Following two stints in the minors this season, Randal Grichuk is back in the majors and eager to prove he belongs. Juan Soto Jersey .Grichuk hit a grand slam that capped a six-run burst in the eighth inning and the St. Louis Cardinals stopped the Cubs 11-game winning streak, beating Chicago 8-4 Saturday.After a run-scoring wild pitch and a bases-loaded walk with two outs in the eighth put the Cardinals ahead 4-2, Grichuk connected.It was his second homer since being recalled from Triple-A Memphis on Thursday -- and it came on his 25th birthday, no less.I feel like a lot of people let that opportunity slip away thinking theyre going to have many more, Grichuk said. Im definitely thankful for being up here right now and getting the opportunities, and Im definitely trying to take advantage of it.Brandon Moss and Jedd Gyorko also homered for St. Louis.Addison Russell hit his 14th homer for the NL Central-leading Cubs.Alex Reyes (1-0) pitched three scoreless innings of relief to get his first major league win in his second appearance.St. Louis starter Luke Weaver gave up two runs on four hits in his major league debut. The 22-year-old was lifted for a pinch hitter after four innings and 85 pitches.Carl Edwards Jr. (0-1) allowed five runs while getting only two outs.Chicago starter Kyle Hendricks struck out 12, matching a career best, in seven innings. He gave up five hits, including two homers. His ERA rose slightly from 2.17 to 2.19.Just two bad changeups, really, two changeups up (in the strike zone), Hendricks said. That was about it. Hopefully, we could keep that winning streak going, but well start a new one tomorrow.It was 2-all in the eighth when the Cardinals loaded the bases with one out. Edwards Jr. struck out Yadier Molina with a breaking pitch in the dirt and the ball bounced off the chest of catcher Willson Contreras and rolled toward the third-base dugout, allowing Stephen Piscotty to score.Edwards then walked the next two batters to force in another run. Joe Smith relieved and Grichuk hit his slam.It means a lot, Grichuk said. Its definitely a confidence booster. In Wrigley against the Cubs, a division rival, its definitely big and, hopefully, the confidence can carry over through the rest of the season.FUTURE ACES?With Weaver and Reyes, 21, the Cardinals have a pair of prized pitching prospects. Manager Mike Matheny was asked if he allowed himself to think about both being in the rotation next season while watching them on Saturday.I wont deny that that hit me at some point in that game, Matheny said. I even turned to (bench coach) Dave Bell and said, `This is really impressive stuff. These kids are making a nice first statement.You probably couldnt throw them into a hotter spot than what we just threw them into. This is a tough place to pitch and watching them . not just survive, I thought they looked terrific, he said.LA STELLA UPDATEThe Cubs are awaiting a decision from INF Tommy La Stella, who was put on the inactive list earlier this week after failing to report to Triple-A Iowa following a demotion last month. La Stella returned to his home in New Jersey.Im still very optimistic about him coming back, but nothing has really abruptly changed right now, manager Joe Maddon said. I think he was very clear how he felt. I think we were very clear back to him how we felt.TRAINERS ROOMCardinals: OF Matt Holliday (broken right thumb) was placed 15-day disabled on Saturday to make room for Weaver on the roster.Cubs: After a bullpen session Friday, RHP Hector Rondon (sore triceps) reported no physical complications. Maddon said the reliever was real close to a return to the active roster ... RHP Pedro Strop, who had an arthroscopic procedure to repair a meniscus tear in his left knee on Thursday, was back in the clubhouse on Saturday walking on crutches. Hes expected to be sidelined four to six weeks.UP NEXTCubs RHP John Lackey (9-7, 3.56 ERA) pitches the finale on Sunday. Lackey, who jumped from the Cardinals to the Cubs in the offseason, is 1-1 with a 2.70 ERA against St. Louis this season. RHP Mike Leake (8-9, 4.79) goes for the Cardinals. Tres Barrera Nationals Jersey . The scientists believe the small earthquake during a Marshawn Lynch touchdown was likely greater than Lynchs famous "beast quake" touchdown run three years ago, which also came against New Orleans during a playoff game. Hunter Strickland Nationals Jersey . Ferrer, trying to win his fourth title on Mexican soil, will next play South Africas Kevin Anderson, who eliminated American Sam Querrey,7-6 (2), 6-4. Also Wednesday, Gilles Simon (6) of France beat Donald Young of the United States 6-4, 6-3, Ukraines Alexandr Dolgopolov downed Frenchman Jeremy Chardy 6-3, 6-4 and Croatias Ivo Karlovic defeated Dudi Sela of Israel 7-6 (4), 6-2. https:///...ersey-nationals.html . With the first unit struggling of late and Amir Johnson - one of the teams iron men - hobbling on an injured right ankle, Patterson knew he could get the nod in a challenging matchup against one of the leagues up and coming players at his position. DURHAM, N.C. -- Senior Rashaun Madison had 24 points on 8-of-10 shooting -- all from 3-point range -- and Pat Cole had a triple-double and North Carolina Central beat Jackson State 84-75 on Friday night.Cole finished with 14 points and added career highs of 12 rebounds and 10 assists. Pablo Rivas and Dajuan Graf had 15 points apiece. Graf had a career-best 11 assists and redshirt-senior Will Ransom -- who came in with 32-career points and none this season -- scored 11.Paris Collins hhit 1 of 2 from the foul line to pull Jackson State (1-2) within six with 4:49 to play. Roenis Elias Jersey. But Madison hit a 3 and Cole made a jumper and two free throws as NCCU (2-2) used an 8-2 spurt to make it 81-69 with 2:08 to play.Yettra Specks scored a career-high 23 points on 9-of-12 shooting and Paris Collins scored 16 with 10 rebounds for Jackson State. ' ' '