The St. Louis Cardinals put on a power display Monday night, overcoming a dramatic momentum swing to defeat the New York Yankees 13-7 in the opener of their series. After watching a six-run advantage disappear, the Cardinals erupted for seven runs in the eighth inning, fueled by a historic performance from Alec Burleson, who crushed three two-run home runs, including a towering blast into the second deck in right field.
Burleson wasted little time making his mark, launching a two-run homer to the short porch in right field just three batters into the game against Yankees rookie Cam Schlittler. He struck again in the fourth inning, taking left-hander Tim Hill deep to the same area to stretch St. Louis’ lead to 6-0.
The first baseman completed his unforgettable night in the eighth inning when he hammered a 2-2 slider from Angel Chivilli (1-1) into right field for his third homer, extending the Cardinals’ lead to 13-7. The 418-foot drive came after Burleson fouled off three consecutive pitches and made him the first Cardinals player to hit three home runs in a game since catcher Iván Herrera accomplished the feat against the Los Angeles Angels on April 2, 2025.
Burleson also became just the eighth visiting player to record a three-homer game at the current Yankee Stadium, which opened in 2009. The last visiting player to do it was Jordan Diaz of the Athletics on May 9, 2023.
St. Louis reclaimed control in the eighth after briefly falling behind. Nathan Church delivered the decisive blow with a go-ahead three-run homer after George Soriano surrendered a two-run shot to Yankees newcomer Luis García Jr. in the seventh that had given New York a 7-6 advantage.
Jimmie Crooks added another two-run homer later in the inning as the Cardinals finished with six home runs, their highest total since belting seven against the Los Angeles Dodgers on May 18, 2023.
The Yankees mounted an impressive comeback after trailing 6-0. Ryan McMahon and José Caballero opened the seventh inning with back-to-back home runs off Ryne Stanek, while Austin Wells connected on a two-run homer and Trent Grisham added a solo shot during a four-run fifth inning.
José Fermín contributed an RBI double for St. Louis, while Church also chipped in with an RBI single.
García, who was acquired from the Washington Nationals on Sunday, made his Yankees debut at first base and finished 2-for-4 with his two-run homer.
Schlittler endured one of his shortest outings of the season, allowing four runs on four hits over three innings. The right-hander matched a career high by issuing five walks while striking out six.
Cardinals starter Michael McGreevy gave up two runs on four hits across 4 1/3 innings before the bullpen took over. Gordon Graceffo (7-1) closed the game by retiring the Yankees’ final six hitters to earn the victory.
Following the loss, the Yankees optioned Chivilli, outfielder Jasson Domínguez, and shortstop Anthony Volpe to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. Highly regarded shortstop prospect George Lombard Jr. is expected to receive a call-up.
The series continues Tuesday with Yankees left-hander Ryan Weathers (4-7, 3.99 ERA) scheduled to face Cardinals right-hander Hunter Dobbins (2-1, 3.74 ERA).