On June 13th, 2019, the Chicago Cubs and St. Louis Cardinals faced off in the first ever Major League Baseball (MLB) game to be held in London, England. The Cubs, led by outfielder Ian Happ, defeated the Cardinals 9-1 in a historic game that marked the return of MLB to Europe.
Happ was the star of the show for the Cubs, hitting two home runs and driving in four runs. He was the first player in MLB history to hit two home runs in a game held in Europe. The Cubs also got strong performances from starting pitcher Yu Darvish, who allowed only one run in five innings of work, and reliever Brad Brach, who pitched two scoreless innings to close out the game.
The Cubs’ victory was a historic moment for MLB, as it marked the first time a regular season game had been played in Europe since 2007. The game was part of MLB’s efforts to expand its global reach and introduce the sport to new audiences.
The game was also a special moment for the players involved. Cubs outfielder Kyle Schwarber said that it was an “amazing experience” to be a part of the first MLB game in Europe. Cardinals pitcher Adam Wainwright echoed his sentiments, saying that it was a “once-in-a-lifetime opportunity” to play in London.
The Cubs and Cardinals will face off again on June 14th in the second and final game of their series in London. The Cubs will look to continue their winning ways and make history once again, while the Cardinals will look to even up the series and make their own mark on MLB’s return to Europe.
