Arenado and Donovan help the Cardinals beat the Astros 8-3

ST. LOUIS (AP) — Nolan Arenado homered and Brendan Donovan went 4 for 4, helping Sonny Gray and the St. Louis Cardinals beat the Houston Astros 8-3 on Monday night.

Arenado also doubled twice and scored two runs in the opener of a three-game series. Donovan extended his hitting streak to 10 games.

Gray (3-0) pitched seven scoreless innings. He allowed three hits, struck out four and walked one.

The Cardinals have won Gray's last eight home starts dating to last season.

Astros left-hander Framber Valdez (1-2) was tagged for seven runs — six earned — in four-plus innings. Five of the 10 hits he allowed were doubles.

Arenado hit a solo drive off Luis Contreras in the eighth. It was his second homer of the season.

The Cardinals broke it open with three runs in the fourth and three more in the fifth.

Pedro Pagés hit a two-run double to make it 3-0 in the fourth. Nolan Gorman's sacrifice fly extended the lead to 7-0 in the fifth.

Donovan scored twice and drove in a run. He is batting an NL-high .391.

Houston's Jeremy Peña hit a three-run homer off Roddery Muñoz with two outs in the ninth.

Arenado drove in the first run in the fifth. He fouled off four straight offerings in a 10-pitch at-bat before ripping an RBI double to left.

Gray set the tone when he retired Jose Altuve, Isaac Paredes and Yordan Alvarez in order in the first inning. The Astros’ only hit off Gray through five was catcher Yainer Diaz’s infield single in the second.

Astros right-hander Hunter Brown (1-1, 2.00 ERA) starts on Tuesday night. Right-hander Erick Fedde (1-1, 4.50 ERA) makes his fourth start for the Cardinals.

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St. Louis Cardinals starting pitcher Sonny Gray throws during the first inning of a baseball game against the Houston Astros Monday, April 14, 2025, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)

Houston Astros starting pitcher Framber Valdez throws during the first inning of a baseball game against the St. Louis Cardinals Monday, April 14, 2025, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)

Houston Astros' Chas McCormick (20) is caught stealing second as St. Louis Cardinals second baseman Nolan Gorman, left, places the tag during the third inning of a baseball game Monday, April 14, 2025, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)

St. Louis Cardinals' Jordan Walker (18) is congratulated by teammates Brendan Donovan (33) and Victor Scott II (11) after scoring during the fourth inning of a baseball game against the Houston Astros Monday, April 14, 2025, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)

St. Louis Cardinals' Nolan Arenado hits an RBI double during the fifth inning of a baseball game against the Houston Astros Monday, April 14, 2025, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)

St. Louis Cardinals' Willson Contreras, left, as Houston Astros catcher Yainer Diaz leaps for the throw during the fifth inning of a baseball game Monday, April 14, 2025, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)

St. Louis Cardinals' Nolan Arenado watches his solo home run during the seventh inning of a baseball game against the Houston Astros Monday, April 14, 2025, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)

St. Louis Cardinals' Nolan Arenado, right, celebrates as he arrives home after hitting a solo home run as Houston Astros catcher Yainer Diaz stands by during the seventh inning of a baseball game Monday, April 14, 2025, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)

St. Louis Cardinals' Nolan Arenado rounds the bases after hitting a solo home run during the seventh inning of a baseball game against the Houston Astros Monday, April 14, 2025, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)

Houston Astros' Jeremy Pena watches his three-run home run during the ninth inning of a baseball game against the St. Louis Cardinals Monday, April 14, 2025, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)

VATICAN CITY (AP) — Pope Leo XIV baptized 20 babies in the Sistine Chapel on Sunday beneath Michelangelo’s frescoed ceiling, continuing an annual tradition that marks the end of the Christmas holiday period at the Vatican.

Later, speaking to the crowd gathered in St. Peter's Square, the pontiff offered his blessing to all infants receiving the sacrament of baptism in these days, "in particular those born in difficult conditions of health or external danger.''

In his first baptismal ceremony as pope, Leo celebrated the Lord’s gift of faith to the children, saying that it gives sense to the gift of life.

“When we know something is essential, we immediately seek it for those we love. Who among us, in fact, would leave a newborn without clothing or nourishment, waiting for them to choose when they grow up how to dress and what to eat?'' the pontiff told the families gathered in the Sistine Chapel.

“Dearest ones, if food and clothing are necessary to live, faith is more than necessary, because with God, life finds salvation,’’ he said.

The pontiff personally administered the sacrament of baptism to the infants, who are the children of Vatican employees working at the Holy See. The parents approached the baptismal font placed within a bronze base representing the Tree of Life with the babies’ godparents and any siblings. The ceremony took place without tears and minimal fussing.

The celebration marks the feast day that recalls Jesus’ baptism in the River Jordan and was established in 1981 by St. John Paul II. The event is depicted on the Sistine Chapel’s north wall in a fresco by Pietro Perugino.

During the ceremony, each father was given a candle representing the Christian light that “illuminates our path.”

“I wish you to continue with joy during the year that has just begun and for all of your life, certain that the Lord will always accompany your steps.’’

Pope Leo XIV delivers the Angelus noon prayer in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican, Sunday, Jan. 11, 2026. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia)

Faithful listen to Pope Leo XIV's Angelus noon prayer in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican, Sunday, Jan. 11, 2026. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia)

The lit Christmas tree is backdropped by the St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican, Thursday, Jan. 8, 2026. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia)

Pope Leo XIV holds his weekly general audience in the Paul VI Hall at the Vatican, Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2026. (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino)