St. Louis Cardinals player Joshua Báez became the first player in major league history to hit three home runs in his first three at-bats, leading his team to an 8-4 victory over the Chicago Cubs on Saturday. The historic performance took place at Wrigley Field in Chicago, as reported by infohub.kz.
The 23-year-old left fielder, called up from Triple-A Memphis earlier that day, sent the first pitch he saw into the Wrigley Field bleachers, then homered in his next two at-bats, driving in five runs. His three home runs all came off Cubs starter Matthew Boyd (8-2).
Blaze Jordan and Alec Burleson also added solo home runs to help the Cardinals bounce back after losing the opener of the three-game series. Báez is the first St. Louis player to homer in his first career plate appearance since Lane Thomas in June 2019.
Michael Conforto hit a three-run homer for the Cubs, who had won nine of their previous 11 games. Cardinals pitcher Michael McGreevy (5-9) allowed three runs — all unearned — on five hits and two walks while striking out six over six innings to earn his first win since July 8.
Báez's first home run, a two-run shot, came in the first inning, deep into the left-center field bleachers. Conforto's homer tied the game at 3-3 in the second, but Báez led off the fourth and sent a full-count pitch down the left-field line, then went the opposite way in the sixth for another two-run homer.
Jordan's home run ended Boyd's day, as he allowed seven runs on five hits and three walks in 5 1/3 innings, striking out two. Burleson homered off Colin Rea in the eighth.
The series concludes Sunday afternoon when the Cardinals send Hunter Dobbins (2-3, 3.40 ERA) against fellow right-hander Edward Cabrera (5-4, 5.10). Cabrera, who has been sidelined with a left hamstring strain, will be making his first start since June 23.