>>Cardinals Outlast Cubs in 14 Innings

 

Dexter Fowler's game winner lifted St. Louis to a 4-3 victory over Chicago, doing so in a twice rain-delayed game that appeared to be all but finished when Javier Baez put the Cubs up by a run with his solo home run in the top of the 14th.

 

The victory was the Cardinals' fifth straight, matching their season-best winning streak. It also improved St. Louis to 4-1 on the season against the rival Cubs, a year after Chicago won 14 of the 19 games between the two.

 

After Chicago took a 3-2 lead on Baez's solo shot in the top of the 14th, Luke Farrell (1-2) struck out the first two Cardinals batters he faced before allowing an infield single to Harrison Bader. Fowler then lifted a 2-2 pitch down the right-field line and just over the glove of Chicago outfielder Jason Heyward.

 

Mike Mayers (1-0) earned the win in relief for St. Louis, allowing one run in three innings. The Cardinals bullpen allowed only three hits in 8 2/3 innings.

 

The loss was the season-high fifth straight for Chicago, the team's worst losing stretch since a six-game skid in late May last season. The Cubs have now failed to score more than three runs in 10 of their last 11 games.

 

The game, which ended at nearly 1 a.m. local time, was delayed twice by rain, a 30-minute delay in the first inning and then 29 minutes during the third. It was also matched the longest game between the Cubs and Cardinals in nearly 12 years, equaling a 14-inning Chicago win over St. Louis on June 2, 2006.

 

Michael Wacha allowed one earned run in 5 1/3 innings for the Cardinals, and Jon Lester overcame four walks to allow two runs in 5 1/3 innings for the Cubs.

Chicago returns home to open a six-game, seven-day homestand on Monday, beginning with a visit from the Miami Marlins. Kyle Hendricks starts for the Cubs, having allowed more than three runs in a start only once this season and sporting a 3.19 ERA.

 

John Gant gets his first start of the season when St. Louis begins a two-game series with visiting Minnesota on Monday night. The appearance will be the first for the right-hander since being called up from Triple-A Memphis on April 26th, and it comes in place of the injured Adam Wainwright - who will make a rehab start at Double-A Springfield also on Monday night.

 

>>White Sox Fall Late To Twins

 

Chicago's James Shields pitched a no-hitter into the seventh inning before the Minnesota Twins rallied late for a 5-3 victory over the White Sox on Sunday.

 

With the Twins trailing 2-0, Eduardo Escobar broke up the no-hitter with a one-out single in the seventh. Eddie Rosario then followed with a single to drive in Brian Dozier, who led off the inning with a walk.

Shields, who retired the first 16 batters, got the next batter Robbie Grossman on a fly to center for the second out (with Escobar advancing to third) before being lifted after 91 pitches.

 

Left-hander Luis Avilan was brought in to face lefty Logan Morrison, but the strategy backfired as Morrison dropped a soft liner just inside the right-field foul line for a two-run double to give the Twins a 3-2 lead.

 

Shields allowed three runs and two hits in 6 2/3 innings.

 

The 6 1/3 innings of no-hit ball was the longest for a White Sox pitcher since Jose Quintana (also 6 1/3 innings) on May 21, 2013.

 

Rosario homered and drove in two runs as Minnesota won its third straight.

 

Leury Garcia and Matt Davidson each had an RBI for Chicago, who has dropped seven of eight.

 

Davidson's sac fly in the bottom of the seventh tied the game at 3.

 

In his previous start Tuesday at St. Louis, Shields allowed one run and two hits in six innings. He allowed a lead-off homer to Tommy Pham and then retired 15 straight. Shields left with Chicago leading 2-1, but received a no-decision after the bullpen surrendered two runs in a 3-2 loss.

 

Minnesota regained the lead on Sunday on an RBI groundout by Max Kepler in the eighth and Rosario added a solo homer in the ninth.

 

Zach Duke (2-1) got the win with Fernando Rodney pitching the ninth for his fifth save.

 

Bruce Rondon (1-2) took the loss.

 

Following a day off, RHP Lucas Giolito (1-4, 7.03 ERA) opens a two-game series against Pittsburgh on Tuesday night. RHP Ivan Nova (2-2, 4.01) is the scheduled starter for the Pirates.

 

>>White Sox Put Moncada On DL

 

Chicago White Sox infielder Yoan Moncada has been put on the 10-day disabled list with tightness in his left hamstring.

 

The White Sox made the move before Saturday night's game against Minnesota. Manager Rick Renteria said an MRI came back clean and the move was precautionary.

 

The 22-year-old Moncada made an early exit in Friday night's loss to the Twins. He also was taken out of Wednesday's game against St. Louis.

 

Moncada is batting .263 with six home runs and 17 RBIs. His .359 on-base percentage and .509 slugging percentage are both second on the team among regulars.

 

The White Sox recalled infielder Jose Rendon from Triple-A Charlotte to take Moncada's spot on the roster.