The Cubs turned Wrigley Field into a launching pad Friday, crushing six home runs in the first three innings alone during an 11-3 demolition of the Cardinals. What was supposed to be a holiday matinee became a historic beatdown.
Miles Mikolas served up meatball after meatball, allowing six homers total to tie a Cardinals franchise record for most allowed by a pitcher in a single game. The Cubs didn’t waste any time getting started.
Miles Mikolas’ six home runs allowed is the new #stlcards franchise record.
— Derrick Goold (@dgoold) July 4, 2025
Seiya Suzuki got the party started in the first with his 24th homer of the year. Pete Crow-Armstrong followed immediately with another blast, and just like that it was 2-0 Cubs after one inning.
The second inning brought more of the same. Michael Busch launched his 15th of the season, then Carson Kelly went deep for his 10th. Four home runs in two innings, 4-0 Chicago.
THE @CUBS.
Michael Busch’s SECOND homer of the game and the Cubs’ SIXTH in three innings has Wrigley Field rocking! pic.twitter.com/AJr2VIDqyh
— MLB (@MLB) July 4, 2025
But the Cubs weren’t done. Not even close.
Crow-Armstrong struck again in the third, his second of the day and 23rd of the season. Then Busch stepped up and crushed a two-run shot – his second homer of the game and 16th of the year. That made it 7-0, and Wrigley was absolutely electric.
The way I see it, Mikolas was just throwing batting practice at that point. Six home runs through three innings is the kind of line that gets you pulled from beer league softball, let alone the major leagues.
Busch stayed hot throughout the afternoon, driving in Crow-Armstrong with a single in the fifth after PCA had worked his way around the bases. Dansby Swanson added the Cubs’ seventh homer in the seventh inning to make it 10-1.
Then Busch put the cherry on top – his third homer of the day, this one to center field. That gave him three home runs and six RBIs on the afternoon.
That is a Cubs’ franchise record eighth homer in a game.#Cubs #stlcards #Cardinals
— Derrick Goold (@dgoold) July 4, 2025
A Day to Forget for Mikolas
Mikolas somehow lasted six innings despite the barrage, finishing with 10 hits and eight earned runs allowed. He struck out four without issuing a walk, which makes the home run total even more baffling. You’d figure if you’re locating that poorly, you’d at least be missing the zone entirely.
The right-hander falls to 4-6 with a 5.26 ERA. It’s been a rough season for someone the Cardinals are counting on to eat innings.
Collin Rea picked up the win for Chicago, going 6.2 innings and allowing just one hit – a Brendan Donovan homer. That’s some contrast right there. The Cardinals came into this series having been shut out in their final game in Pittsburgh, so they weren’t exactly swinging hot bats to begin with.
To add insult to injury, the Cubs had Jon Berti – a utility man – close out the final three outs on the mound. When position players are mopping up, you know it’s been a long day.
This marks the Cubs’ fourth straight win and the Cardinals’ fourth straight loss. Chicago’s offense has been clicking lately, and days like this show what they’re capable of when everything falls into place.
The two teams will try it again Saturday, with Matthew Liberatore taking the ball for St. Louis. The Cubs haven’t announced their starter yet after placing Jamison Taillon on the 15-day IL with a right calf strain.
All things considered, the Cardinals have to hope Liberatore can keep the ball in the park better than Mikolas did. That shouldn’t be too hard.
