Contreras and Pozo rally Cardinals past White Sox in 1st game of doubleheader

CHICAGO (AP) — Willson Contreras hit a tying homer in the eighth inning and pinch-hitter Yohel Pozo singled home the go-ahead run as the St. Louis Cardinals rallied past the skidding Chicago White Sox 5-4 in the first game of a doubleheader Thursday.

Chicago reliever Cam Booser (1-4) began the eighth with a 4-2 lead and gave up a leadoff single to Alec Burleson. Contreras hit the next pitch out to left-center for a two-run shot.

Nolan Gorman reached on Booser's throwing error and scored the tiebreaking run with two outs when Pozo hit a line drive to left field on a full-count pitch, sending the White Sox to their seventh consecutive defeat.

St. Louis has won three of four since a six-game slide.

The Cardinals loaded the bases with nobody out in the first against Sean Burke but managed only Contreras' sacrifice fly for a 1-0 lead.

Chicago tied it on shortstop Masyn Winn's throwing error in the fourth and took a 2-1 lead when Andrew Benintendi tripled and scored on Miguel Vargas' single in the fifth.

Brandon Eisert replaced Burke with two on in the sixth and walked Nolan Arenado intentionally before walking Lars Nootbaar on five pitches to make it 2-all.

Lenyn Sosa struck out against Steven Matz leading off the sixth but reached first base on a wild pitch. Michael A. Taylor hit his fourth homer one out later to give the White Sox a 4-2 lead.

Cardinals starter Erick Fedde allowed two runs — one earned — and six hits in five innings. Andre Granillo (1-0) got the final out in the seventh for his first major league win.

Phil Maton pitched a scoreless eighth and Ryan Helsley finished for his 14th save in 19 opportunities.

Burke gave up two runs — one earned — and four hits in 5 1/3 innings. He struck out seven.

Contreras' tying homer perhaps rattled Booser, who followed with a throwing error that allowed Gorman to reach and a wild pitch that put him in scoring position.

Contreras became the first Cardinals player to hit 10 homers this season — in the team's 74th game.

In the makeup of Wednesday night's rainout, Cardinals RHP Michael McGreevy (1-1, 3.09 ERA) started Game 2 opposite White Sox rookie Mike Vasil (3-2, 1.99).

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St. Louis Cardinals catcher Iván Herrera, left, celebrates with first baseman Willson Contreras after the Cardinals defeated the Chicago White Sox in the first baseball game of a doubleheader Thursday, June 19, 2025. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)

St. Louis Cardinals relief pitcher Ryan Helsley (56) celebrates with catcher Iván Herrera, right, after they defeated the Chicago White Sox in the first baseball game of a doubleheader Thursday, June 19, 2025. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)

Chicago White Sox catcher Kyle Teel, left, talks with relief pitcher Cam Booser during the eighth inning in the first baseball game of a doubleheader against the St. Louis Cardinals, Thursday, June 19, 2025. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)

St. Louis Cardinals' Yohel Pozo reacts as he runs after hitting a one-run single during the eighth inning in the first baseball game of a doubleheader against the Chicago White Sox, Thursday, June 19, 2025. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)

St. Louis Cardinals' Yohel Pozo hits a one-run single during the eighth inning in the first baseball game of a doubleheader against the Chicago White Sox, Thursday, June 19, 2025. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)

ISLAMABAD (AP) — A gas cylinder explosion early Sunday after a wedding reception at a home in Pakistan’s capital killed at least eight people, including the bride and groom, police and officials said.

The blast occurred as guests who had gathered to celebrate the couple were sleeping at the house, causing part of the house to collapse, according to the Islamabad police. Seven people were injured.

In a statement, police said the explosion occurred in a residential area in the heart of the city. A government administrator, Sahibzada Yousaf, said authorities were alerted about the blast early Sunday and officers are still investigating. He said some nearby homes were also damaged.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed grief over the loss of lives and offered condolences to the victims’ families, according to a statement from his office. He directed health authorities to ensure the injured receive the best possible treatment and ordered a full investigation.

Many Pakistani households rely on liquefied petroleum gas cylinders because of low natural gas pressure, and such cylinders have been linked to deadly accidents caused by gas leaks. Police said investigations were ongoing.

Government officials survey the damage of a home caused by a gas cylinder explosion hours after a wedding reception, in Islamabad, Pakistan, Sunday, Jan. 11, 2026. (AP Photo/Ehsan Shahzad)