Contreras hits 3-run homer in 1st inning of nightcap, Cardinals sweep Reds 6-0 and 9-1

CINCINNATI (AP) — Willson Contreras hit a three-run homer in the first inning of the second game, Pedro Pagés added a solo shot and the St. Louis Cardinals swept a day-night doubleheader from the Cincinnati Reds 6-0 and 9-1 on Wednesday.

Contreras and Pagés homered off 22-year-old right-hander Chase Petty, 22, who allowed nine runs, seven hits and two walks over 2 1/3 innings in his major league debut. Pagés homered on the 11th pitch of his at-bat and Jordan Walker added a two-run double in the third.

St. Louis entered 2-12 on the road and matched its season wins total away from home.

Petty was selected 26th overall by Minnesota in the 2021 amateur draft and was acquired in the March 2022 trade that sent pitcher Sonny Gray to the Twins.

Cardinals starter Steven Matz allowed five hits with no walks and six strikeouts in four scoreless innings, lowering his ERA to 1.50.

Gordon Graceffo (1-0) got his first major league win, giving up one run and two hits in five innings with five strikeouts and no walks. He averaged 96.4 mph with his fastball.

St. Louis hit three consecutive homers in the ninth inning and beat the Reds 6-0 in the first game, a makeup of Tuesday's rainout. Cincinnati was 1 for 13 with runners in scoring position on the day.

With the count 2-2, Pagés fouled off six consecutive pitches before hitting his second home run of the season.

At 22 years, 26 days, Petty was the youngest Reds pitcher to appear in a game since Homer Bailey at 21 years, 150 days in 2007.

Reds RHP Hunter Greene (3-2, 2.70) will oppose Cardinals LHP Matthew Liberatore (2-2, 3.19) in the series finale on Thursday.

AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb

St. Louis Cardinals' Masyn Winn rounds third base and scores on a single hit by Brendan Donovan during the third inning of the second baseball game of a doubleheader against the Cincinnati Reds, Wednesday, April 30, 2025, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Jeff Dean)

St. Louis Cardinals' Pedro Pagés gestures as he rounds the bases after hitting a solo home run during the second inning of the second baseball game of a doubleheader against the Cincinnati Reds Wednesday, April 30, 2025, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Jeff Dean)

Cincinnati Reds pitcher Chase Petty walks to the dugout during the first inning of the second baseball game of a doubleheader against the St. Louis Cardinals, Wednesday, April 30, 2025, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Jeff Dean)

St. Louis Cardinals' Nolan Gorman reaches third base on a double hit by Jordan Walker during the third inning of the second baseball game of a doubleheader against the Cincinnati Reds Wednesday, April 30, 2025, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Jeff Dean)

Cincinnati Reds' Elly De La Cruz (44) watches his single during the third inning of the second baseball game of a doubleheader against the St. Louis Cardinals Wednesday, April 30, 2025, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Jeff Dean)

Cincinnati Reds pitcher Chase Petty throws during the third inning of the second baseball game of a doubleheader against the St. Louis Cardinals Wednesday, April 30, 2025, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Jeff Dean)

St. Louis Cardinals' Jordan Walker (18) celebrates with teammates after scoring on a single by Victor Scott II during the third inning of the second baseball game of a doubleheader against the Cincinnati Reds Wednesday, April 30, 2025, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Jeff Dean)

St. Louis Cardinals' Jordan Walker (18) watches his two-run double during the third inning of the second baseball game of a doubleheader against the Cincinnati Reds Wednesday, April 30, 2025, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Jeff Dean)

St. Louis Cardinals' Willson Contreras (40) gestures as he rounds the bases after hitting a three-run home run during the first inning of the second baseball game of a doubleheader against the Cincinnati Reds Wednesday, April 30, 2025, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Jeff Dean)

NEW YORK (AP) — Thousands of nurses in three hospital systems in New York City went on strike Monday after negotiations through the weekend failed to yield breakthroughs in their contract disputes.

The strike was taking place at The Mount Sinai Hospital and two of its satellite campuses, with picket lines forming. The other affected hospitals are NewYork-Presbyterian and Montefiore Medical Center in the Bronx.

About 15,000 nurses are involved in the strike, according to New York State Nurses Association.

“After months of bargaining, management refused to make meaningful progress on core issues that nurses have been fighting for: safe staffing for patients, healthcare benefits for nurses, and workplace violence protections,” the union said in a statement issued Monday. “Management at the richest hospitals in New York City are threatening to discontinue or radically cut nurses’ health benefits.”

The strike, which comes during a severe flu season, could potentially force the hospitals to transfer patients, cancel procedures or divert ambulances. It could also put a strain on city hospitals not involved in the contract dispute, as patients avoid the medical centers hit by the strike.

The hospitals involved have been hiring temporary nurses to try and fill the labor gap during the walkout, and said in a statement during negotiations that they would “do whatever is necessary to minimize disruptions.” Montefiore posted a message assuring patients that appointments would be kept.

“NYSNA’s leaders continue to double down on their $3.6 billion in reckless demands, including nearly 40% wage increases, and their troubling proposals like demanding that a nurse not be terminated if found to be compromised by drugs or alcohol while on the job," Montefiore spokesperson Joe Solmonese said Monday after the strike had started. "We remain resolute in our commitment to providing safe and seamless care, regardless of how long the strike may last.”

New York-Presbyterian accused the union of staging a strike to “create disruption,” but said in a statement that it has taken steps to ensure patients receive the care they need.

"We’re ready to keep negotiating a fair and reasonable contract that reflects our respect for our nurses and the critical role they play, and also recognizes the challenging realities of today’s healthcare environment,” the statement said.

The work stoppage is occurring at multiple hospitals simultaneously, but each medical center is negotiating with the union independently. Several other hospitals across the city and in its suburbs reached deals in recent days to avert a possible strike.

The nurses’ demands vary by hospital, but the major issues include staffing levels and workplace safety. The union says hospitals have given nurses unmanageable workloads.

Nurses also want better security measures in the workplace, citing incidents like a an incident last week, when a man with a sharp object barricaded himself in a Brooklyn hospital room and was then killed by police.

The union also wants limitations on hospitals’ use of artificial intelligence.

The nonprofit hospitals involved in the negotiations say they’ve been working to improve staffing levels, but say the union’s demands overall are too costly.

Nurses voted to authorize the strike last month.

Both New York Gov. Kathy Hochul and Mayor Zohran Mamdani had expressed concern about the possibility of the strike. As the strike deadline neared, Mamdani urged both sides to keep negotiating and reach a deal that “both honors our nurses and keeps our hospitals open.”

“Our nurses kept this city alive through its hardest moments. Their value is not negotiable,” Mamdani said.

State Attorney General Letitia James voiced similar support, saying "nurses put their lives on the line every day to keep New Yorkers healthy. They should never be forced to choose between their own safety, their patients’ well-being, and a fair contract.”

The last major nursing strike in the city was only three years ago, in 2023. That work stoppage, at Mount Sinai and Montefiore, was short, lasting three days. It resulted in a deal raising pay 19% over three years at those hospitals.

It also led to promised staffing improvements, though the union and hospitals now disagree about how much progress has been made, or whether the hospitals are retreating from staffing guarantees.

Nurses strike outside New York-Presbyterian Hospital, Monday, Jan. 12, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Yuki Iwamura)

Nurses strike outside New York-Presbyterian Hospital, Monday, Jan. 12, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Yuki Iwamura)

Nurses strike outside New York-Presbyterian Hospital, Monday, Jan. 12, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Yuki Iwamura)

Nurses strike outside New York-Presbyterian Hospital, Monday, Jan. 12, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Yuki Iwamura)

Nurses strike outside New York-Presbyterian Hospital, Monday, Jan. 12, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Yuki Iwamura)

Nurses strike outside Mount Sinai West Hospital, Monday, Jan. 12, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Yuki Iwamura)

Nurses strike outside Mount Sinai West Hospital, Monday, Jan. 12, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Yuki Iwamura)

Nurses strike outside Mount Sinai West Hospital, Monday, Jan. 12, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Yuki Iwamura)

Nurses strike outside Mount Sinai West Hospital, Monday, Jan. 12, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Yuki Iwamura)

FILE - A medical worker transports a patient at Mount Sinai Hospital, April 1, 2020, in New York. (AP Photo/Mary Altaffer, File)