Sloppy start downs Leake, Cardinals in opener

CHICAGO — The sort of lapses that have constrained the Cardinals this season surfaced again in a 5-0 loss to the Cubs that left the Cards to spend another day stuck where they started it — lagging behind the Giants and Mets in the National League Wild Card standings.

Friday’s series opener at Wrigley Field unraveled in a first inning that saw Mike Leake throw 31 pitches and closed with the Cardinals down by four. There were mishandled plays in the field, key pitches not executed and two wild pitches. It was a sloppy start from which the Cards never recovered, despite the bullpen’s scoreless performance.

“You’re playing against good teams,” manager Mike Matheny said. “You’ve got a guy out there who throws the ball well. You’re going to have to be very clean. Being down four to a good team puts your back against the wall. It’s not an easy assignment any time, let alone against a guy who just won a Cy Young [Award].”

That guy, of course, is Jake Arrieta, who, in contrast to Leake’s laborious start, struck out the side in an 11-pitch first frame.

Leake’s trouble started with a leadoff walk, before Kolten Wong’s lack of familiarity in left …

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