The Cubs' rally started in the ninth when Cardinals closer Trevor Rosenthal gave up a one-out single to Addison Russell. After Albert Almora, Jr. struck out for the second out, Javier Baez walked. Rosenthal, however, got pinch-hitter Mat Szczur to ground up the middle for the final out of the game and his 14th save.

Adam Wainwright (W, 7-4) picked up the win while pitching into the seventh inning and giving up 6 hits and 3 runs. Jason Hammel (L, 7-3) went 5 2/3 innings, allowing a season-high tying four runs, six hits and two costly home runs to Matt Carpenter and Brandon Moss. Cubs starters had surrendered three or fewer earned runs in 23-straight games which was the second-longest stretch for a Cubs starting rotation since 1920, surpassed only by 31-straight starts in 1992.

Russell led the Cubs offensively with three hits. Gerardo Concepcion made his major league debut for the Cubs in the sixth inning and pitched 1 1/3 innings with two strikeouts. He became the first Cubs pitcher to retire at least four batters without allowing a baserunner in his major league debut since 1958.

The Cubs will try to avoid the sweep on Wednesday when Jake Arrieta (11-1, 1.74) faces Michael Wacha (2-7, 4.56) at 1:20 p.m. CT.

NOTES:

* The Cubs have lost home games on consecutive days for the first time this season … the team had previously dropped two-straight home games just once, and that was May 11 in a twinbill vs. the Padres … the Cubs fall to 31-5 this season when scoring first.

* Chris Coghlan (1-for-2, 2 R, 2 BB) reached base three times for the second time this season (previously, May 11 with Oakland, at Boston) … has scored a run in five of his ten games with the Cubs this season.

* Anthony Rizzo (1-for-2, SF, RBI, BB) hit his second sacrifice fly of the season in the first inning … he has driven in a run in four of his last six contests … is batting .387 (24-for-62) in 18 June contests.

* Willson Contreras (1-for-3, R, BB) drew his first walk since being recalled … has knocked in or scored a run in each of his three games with an at-bat.

* The Cubs went 0-for-9 with runners in scoring position.