Cubs starter Jason Hammel had racked up nothing but quality starts this season - until Thursday.
Hammel suffered through his shortest and worst outing of the year against the Cardinals. He was doomed by a four-run second inning in which he gave up two walks and three hits, including a key two-run single by opposing pitcher Michael Wacha.
The right-hander recovered to pitch three shutout innings before a double and single knocked him out in the sixth. Hammel, whose ERA rose from 2.45 to 3.06, will make his next start Tuesday against the Yankees.