On Sunday night, Nolan Arenado and Andrew Knizner blasted two-run homers to help the St. Louis Cardinals sweep the Boston Red Sox 9-1.
The Cardinals won their sixth game in seven since an eight-game losing streak with a solo homer from Paul DeJong and four runs from Arenado. Their previous two wins were ninth-inning comeback against closer Kenley Jansen at Fenway Park.
Lars Nootbaar had three hits and three runs for St. Louis, and Paul Goldschmidt had two singles and an RBI. Miles Mikolas (2-1) allowed four hits and two walks in six innings of one-run ball.
“Despite our bad start,” Mikolas said. Talent exists. We play great baseball.”
Boston lost its fifth game in six with an RBI single from Rafael Devers.
St. Louis (16-25) swept its first series this season. In each series game, Arenado homered over the Green Monster.
The Cardinals went 5-1 in six games at Wrigley Field and Fenway Park.
“It’s a good road trip,” St. Louis manager Oliver Marmol said. To get back on track and perform well against two good opponents is great. That clubhouse trusts each other.”
Red Sox starter Corey Kluber (2-5) allowed four runs and seven hits (two homers) in five innings. Five strikes, three walks.
“I buried us early,” he added. “Poor fastball command.”
DeJong’s shot into the center-field seats broke a 1-all game in the second. In the fourth, Knizner drove to center.
Boston’s Enmanuel Valdez’s seventh-inning two-run homer was overruled when replays revealed it hooked foul just short of Pesky’s Pole.
Génesis Cabrera ended a bases-loaded seventh inning by getting Masataka Yoshida to fly out.
“Played two good games and lost in the ninth and today they kicked our butt,” Red Sox manager Alex Cora said.
DAD KNOWS
Chris Sale inquired how the Boston Celtics were doing in Game 7 of their NBA playoff series against Philadelphia two hours before the game. The lefty remarked, “He’s my oldest son’s favorite athlete” when told All-Star forward Jayson Tatum had 25 points at halftime. He claims it’s me, but I think he’s flattering me. He has two jerseys and I have one.”
RESUME IT
Cardinals catcher Willson Contreras stretched and squatted with a mitt in the clubhouse before the game. Contreras returns to catching Monday against Milwaukee. He became DH on May 5.
TRAINING ROOM
Cards: OF Dylan Carlson’s left ankle sprained.
Red Sox: INF Trevor Story is working out in Florida.
Up next
Cards: RHP RHP Freddy Peralta (4-2, 3.32) faces Jack Flaherty (2-4, 6.18 ERA) in the home opener of a three-game series against the Milwaukee Brewers.
Red Sox: Tanner Houck (3-2, 5.26) against Seattle RHP George Kirby (4-2, 2.62).
