Contreras Powers Cardinals to Victory with Two Home Runs
- Willson Contreras hit two two-run home runs to lead the St. Louis Cardinals to an 8-5 victory over the Kansas City Royals.
- This win marks an important moment for the Cardinals as they push for a better position in the league.
- Contreras's performance was a key factor in the game, showcasing his skills as a valuable player for the team.
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — In an exciting matchup on Friday night, the St. Louis Cardinals overcame a deficit to defeat the Kansas City Royals 8-5, thanks in large part to Willson Contreras, who hit two crucial two-run home runs. Contreras initiated the scoring in the first inning with a homer that ricocheted off the bullpen fence, and he later added another in the ninth, marking his 15th multi-homer game of his career. The Cardinals found themselves trailing 5-3 after five innings but rallied impressively, scoring five runs on seven hits against six Royals relievers. A pivotal moment came in the eighth inning when Victor Scott II delivered a two-out, two-run double, giving St. Louis a 6-5 lead after a failed challenge by Kansas City on a potential double play. Starting pitcher Miles Mikolas struggled, allowing five runs on eight hits over four innings, contributing to a 7.11 ERA over his last five starts. In contrast, Matthew Liberatore provided solid relief, throwing three hitless innings to secure the win. The Cardinals initially built a 3-0 lead with Alec Burleson’s team-leading 20th home run, but the Royals fought back with key hits from Kyle Isbel, Michael Massey, and Salvador Perez. As the teams look ahead, the Royals' John Schreiber is recovering from knee inflammation, while the Cardinals are set to start Andre Pallante against Michael Wacha in Saturday's game.