CHICAGO _ One of the most successful hitters with the bases loaded in Major League Baseball history, Cardinals infielder Matt Carpenter, stepped to the plate in the first inning Wednesday afternoon one hit shy of batting .500 in his career in those spots.
He got there with gusto.
Carpenter drilled a grand slam in the first inning to put the Cardinals quickly ahead and on their way to a 9-3 victory in the first game of a doubleheader against the Cubs at Wrigley Field.