Cards shock Cubs with HRs in big 8th

CHICAGO — Stephen Piscotty put a charge in the Cardinals vs. Cubs rivalry on Sunday night, hitting a go-ahead, three-run homer in a five-run eighth inning to power St. Louis to a 6-4 victory over Chicago in front of 41,019 at Wrigley Field.

The Cardinals trailed, 3-1, in the eighth but had two on to set up Piscotty, who connected off Hector Rondon in his first appearance since Aug. 2. One out later, Brandon Moss belted a solo shot off Rondon. St. Louis snapped Chicago’s win streak at 11 games on Saturday, and the Cubs now have lost back-to-back games for the first time since July 25-26. The Cardinals may be 12 games back in the National League Central, but they lead the season series, 7-6, with six games remaining.

The Cubs’ Anthony Rizzo hit a pair of RBI singles and a solo home run, his 25th and first since July 20, and Aroldis Chapman struck out two of three batters he faced in the ninth. But Chicago may have some concerns regarding starter John Lackey, who was lifted after throwing his 106th pitch during the middle of an at-bat against Randal Grichuk in the seventh. The count was 2-2, and Justin Grimm took over, threw one pitch, and struck Grichuk out.

MOMENTS THAT MATTERED Escape act: Cardinals reliever Matt Bowman cleaned up a seventh-inning mess for starter Mike Leake to prevent the Cubs from expanding what was then a two-run lead. After inheriting two runners and walking the first batter he faced, Bowman didn’t let any of the three budge. A fly ball to center by Matt Szczur was not deep enough for Javier Baez to tag and score from third. Bowman then froze Dexter Fowler for a strikeout and induced another flyout to end the threat.

Seeking relief: For the second straight game, the Cubs showed how much they miss Pedro Strop, who is sidelined at least …

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