Joshua Báez hits three homers in first three major-league at-bats as Cardinals beat Cubs

Joshua Báez became the first major-league player to hit a home run in each of his first three at-bats, leading the St. Louis Cardinals to an 8-4 victory over the Chicago Cubs on Saturday. The 23-year-old left fielder, promoted from Triple-A Memphis earlier in the day, homered on the first pitch he saw and added two more in subsequent at-bats, accounting for five runs batted in.

Blaze Jordan and Alec Burleson each contributed solo home runs, extending the Cardinals' lead after they had lost the series opener the previous day. Báez’s first homer was a two-run shot to left-center field in the first inning, followed by a full-count blast down the left-field line in the fourth and another two-run hit in the sixth.

For the Cubs, Michael Conforto hit a three-run homer that tied the game at 3-3 in the second inning, but the Cardinals regained the advantage with Báez’s continued power. Pitcher Michael McGreevy (5-9) earned the win, allowing three unearned runs on five hits and two walks while striking out six over six innings, his first victory since early July.

The series concludes Sunday with the Cardinals sending right-hander Hunter Dobbins (2-3, 3.40 ERA) against Cubs right-hander Edward Cabrera (5-4, 5.10 ERA), who returns after a left hamstring strain.