Cards string four homers in first
The Cardinals became the first major-league team to hit four consecutive home runs in the first inning when Nolan Arenado, Nolan Gorman, Juan Yepez and Dylan Carlson connected against the Phillies on Saturday in Philadelphia.
Arenado also ripped a tiebreaking homer in the ninth that sent the Cardinals to a 7-6 victory.
The Cardinals tied the MLB record for any inning with four in a row. It was the first time they had done it and the 11th time overall in big-league history.
After Phillies starter Kyle Gibson got the first two outs, Paul Goldschmidt singled before Arenado’s two-run shot to left field on a slider started the longball onslaught. Arenado’s drive came a night after he hit for the cycle for the second time in his career.
Gorman followed by driving a 2-1 cutter into the seats in right. Then Yepez fouled off a 1-2 pitch before clearing the fence in left to mark the first time since Sept. 19, 2002, that the Cardinals hit three homers in a row. Carlson finished the power display by connecting on a 1-0 sinker that hit the facing of the second deck in right on the first pitch he saw.
Twins earn second consecutive walk-off win
Jorge Polanco hit a tying homer and Jose Miranda delivered a game-ending single as the host Twins again rallied for two runs in the ninth inning, beating the Orioles 4-3. On Friday, Byron Buxton hit a tworun homer in the ninth off Jorge Lopez for a 3-2 win.
Polanco began the ninth with a home run against Lopez that made it 3-3. Alex Kirilloff doubled with one out, Gary Sanchez singled and Miranda followed with a single to win it.
Yankees pound Guardians for DH sweep
Anthony Rizzo and Giancarlo Stanton blasted consecutive homers, Nestor Cortes shut Cleveland down for six innings and the Yankees continued their torrid winning pace by beating the Guardians 6-1 to complete a doubleheader sweep.
Matt Carpenter homered twice and Gerrit Cole brushed off allowing back-to-back home runs in New York’s 13-4 romp in the opener. The Yankees are 25-6 since May 31.
DeGrom to begin minor-league rehab stint
Mets ace Jacob deGrom is finally ready to begin a minor-league rehab assignment. Sidelined by injuries since last July, the two-time Cy Young Award winner is scheduled to start Sunday night for Single-A St. Lucie. He is expected to throw about 25 pitches and two innings.
Nationals pick up options on Martinez, Rizzo
Manager Dave Martinez and general manager Mike Rizzo are signed through the 2023 season after the Nationals exercised their contract options.