Top veteran star crushed his 350th career home run in the third inning and later delivered the go-ahead RBI in the 10th, leading the St. Louis Cardinals to an 8-6 win over the Chicago White Sox. The victory completed a doubleheader sweep and extended the White Sox’s losing streak to eight games.
Rookie Andre Granillo, who earned his first career win by recording the final out of the seventh inning in Game 1, returned in the nightcap to toss a scoreless 10th for his first MLB save in just his fourth appearance. JoJo Romero (3-3) pitched a clean ninth inning to pick up the win.
Arenado’s milestone homer came right after Alec Burleson’s three-run blast in the third. He went 3-for-5 on the night and became just the seventh player in MLB history to reach 350 home runs while also winning at least 10 Gold Glove awards.
Willson Contreras, who homered and drove in three runs in the Cardinals’ 5-4 comeback win in the first game, continued his strong day with a clutch two-out, two-run double in the fourth inning of the nightcap to give St. Louis a 6-1 lead.
However, the White Sox fought back in the seventh as Andrew Benintendi launched a two-out grand slam—just the third of his career—to cap a five-run inning and tie the game at 6.
In the 10th, Dan Altavilla (0-1) struck out Alec Burleson to start the frame, but Nolan Arenado followed with a single to drive in automatic runner Jordan Walker for the go-ahead run, though Arenado was thrown out trying to stretch it into a double. Lars Nootbaar then added insurance with his ninth home run of the season, sealing the Cardinals’ 8-6 win.
Victor Scott II singled and swiped his 20th base of the season, while Willson Contreras was hit by a pitch just before Alec Burleson launched his seventh home run.
Chicago’s Ryan Noda recorded his first hit with the team by homering to lead off the second inning against Cardinals starter Michael McGreevy.
St. Louis has now won three straight games.
In a key defensive moment in the ninth, Nolan Arenado threw home on a ground ball by Vinny Capra to cut down Mike Tauchman for the second out. After Capra stole second, Miguel Vargas grounded out, sending the game to extra innings.
The Cardinals are now 8-4 across six doubleheaders this season, while the White Sox were playing in their first twin bill of the year.
Looking ahead, St. Louis will send RHP Andre Pallante (4-3, 4.83 ERA) to the mound Friday against the visiting Cincinnati Reds, who counter with RHP Brady Singer (7-4, 4.34 ERA). The White Sox continue their road trip in Toronto, with RHP Davis Martin (2-7, 3.79 ERA) set to face Blue Jays RHP Spencer Turnbull (1-0, 2.08 ERA).