08/15/26 04:19:00
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08/15 16:17 CDT Joshua Bez first player to homer in first 3 at-bats in the
majors, leads Cardinals past Cubs 8-4
Joshua Bez first player to homer in first 3 at-bats in the majors, leads
Cardinals past Cubs 8-4
CHICAGO (AP) --- Joshua Bez became the first player to hit three home runs in
his first three at-bats in the major leagues, leading the St. Louis Cardinals
to an 8-4 victory over the Chicago Cubs on Saturday.
The 23-year-old left fielder, called up from Triple-A Memphis earlier in the
day, hit the first pitch he saw into the Wrigley Field bleachers, then homered
in his next two at-bats. He also drove in five runs.
Blaze Jordan and Alec Burleson added solo home runs to help the Cardinals win a
day after dropping the opener of the three-game series.
Bez 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 11.
Michael McGreevy (5-9) allowed three runs --- all unearned --- on five hits and
two walks while striking out six in the first six innings to win for the first
time since July 8.
Bez tagged Matthew Boyd (8-2) for all three homers. He drove his first, a
two-run shot, deep into the left-center field bleachers in the first inning.
Conforto's home run tied the game at 3-all in the second, but Bez led off the
fourth and sent a full-count pitch down the left-field line, then went down the
opposite side in the sixth for another two-run homer.
Jordan's home run was the end of day for Boyd, who allowed seven runs on five
hits and three walks in 5 1/3 innings. He struck out two.
Burleson homered off Colin Rea in the eighth.
Up next
The series ends Sunday afternoon when the Cardinals send Hunter Dobbins (2-3,
3.40 ERA) against fellow right-hander Edward Cabrera (5-4, 5.10). Cabrera (left
hamstring strain) will be making his first start since June 23.
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