Herrera hits go-ahead homer, Mikolas pitches 6 solid innings, Cardinals beat A's 2-1

ST. LOUIS (AP) — Iván Herrera hit a go-ahead two-run home run, and Miles Mikolas pitched six solid innings to help the St. Louis Cardinals beat the Athletics 2-1 on Tuesday night.

Mikolas (7-10) gave up a run on five hits in six innings. He didn't have a strikeout and walked one. The right-hander was 0-2 with a 6.04 ERA in five August starts.

Matt Svanson followed with two scoreless innings and JoJo Romero pitched a 1-2-3 ninth for his sixth save.

Victor Scott II drew a leadoff walk from Hogan Harris in the sixth. Michael Kelly (4-3) replaced Harris with two outs and Scott on third and Iván Herrera hit his 12th homer three pitches later for a 2-1 lead.

Luis Severino left leading 1-0 after five innings and 61 pitches in his first start since Aug. 5. He allowed three hits and a walk. Severino followed five straight losses with four wins in a row before missing time with a left oblique strain.

JJ Bleday had a leadoff double in the third and rookie Nick Kurtz — batting .325 average with runners in scoring position — doubled to put the Athletics ahead. Bleday homered twice for the Athletics (64-76) in an 11-3 win in the opener.

The Cardinals (69-71) have just three wins in their last 11 home games.

Zack Gelof doubled leading off the fifth and Mikolas walked Kurtz intentionally with two outs before retiring Jacob Wilson on an infield pop-up to keep it 1-0.

The Athletics came in with 190 home runs — 57 more than the Cardinals.

Athletics Jeffrey Springs (10-9, 4.17 ERA) starts Wednesday's rubber game opposite Matthew Liberatore (6-11, 4.32).

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St. Louis Cardinals' Victor Scott II, left, grounds out as Athletics first baseman Nick Kurtz handles the throw during the eighth inning of a baseball game Tuesday, Sept. 2, 2025, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)

St. Louis Cardinals' Ivan Herrera (48) is congratulated by teammate Willson Contreras (40) after hitting a two-run home run during the sixth inning of a baseball game against the Athletics Tuesday, Sept. 2, 2025, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)

St. Louis Cardinals' Ivan Herrera is congratulated by teammates after hitting a two-run home run during the sixth inning of a baseball game against the Athletics Tuesday, Sept. 2, 2025, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)

St. Louis Cardinals' Ivan Herrera (48) and Nathan Church (27) celebrate a victory over the Athletics in a baseball game Tuesday, Sept. 2, 2025, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)

DENVER (AP) — Versatile infielder/outfielder Willi Castro and the Colorado Rockies agreed to a $12.8 million, two-year deal Thursday, a person familiar with the negotiations told The Associated Press.

The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the agreement had not been announced.

Castro spent last season with the Minnesota Twins and Chicago Cubs, where he hit a combined .226 with 11 homers and 33 RBIs. He played all three outfield spots last season in addition to seeing time at third and shortstop. He even pitched an inning while with the Twins.

The 28-year-old Castro made his major league debut on Aug. 24, 2019, while with Detroit. He spent four seasons with the Tigers before joining the Twins, where he was an All-Star in 2024. He was traded to the Cubs last July.

Earlier in the day, the Rockies finalized the signing of right-handed starter Michael Lorenzen to an $8 million, one-year contract. The deal includes a $9 million club option for 2027. Right-hander Bradley Blalock was designated for assignment to open a roster spot.

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

FILE - Chicago Cubs' Willi Castro (1) runs the bases after hitting a two-run home run during the fourth inning of a baseball game against the Washington Nationals, Sept. 5, 2025, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Erin Hooley, File)