A big 1st inning was all the Cardinals needed to claim the first game of Wednesday’s doubleheader.

The first three batters of the game reached base against Cubs starter Alec Mills and Matt Carpenter cashed in with a grand slam to center en route to a 9-3 Cubs loss.

Mills hit Cardinals leadoff man Kolten Wong and then gave up a single and a walk before Carpenter drove his 18th pitch into the bleachers. 

Ian Happ put up an immediate response for the Cubs in the home half of the 1st inning with his second career leadoff homer, but they didn’t score again until 2 outs in the bottom of the 7th when Josh Phegley hit a 2-run shot.

The Cubs still drew 6 walks and forced the St. Louis pitching staff to throw 144 pitches in 7 innings, but the two homers were the only hits.

Mills finished his day with 6 runs allowed in 3.2 innings as he was also charged with solo tallies in the 2nd and 4th innings. Duane Underwood Jr. and Jason Adam combined to strike out 7 Cardinals in 3.1 innings as they also saved the rest of the bullpen to be utilized in Game 2.

The loss pushed the Cubs’ record to 15-8 on the season. Adbert Alzolay takes the ball for Game 2 of the doubleheader.