Joshua Báez first player to homer in first 3 at-bats in the majors, leads Cardinals past Cubs 8-4

CHICAGO (AP) — Joshua Báez became the first player to hit three home runs in his first three at-bats in the major leagues, leading the St. Louis Cardinals to an 8-4 victory over the Chicago Cubs on Saturday.

The 23-year-old left fielder, called up from Triple-A Memphis earlier in the day, hit the first pitch he saw into the Wrigley Field bleachers, then homered in his next two at-bats. He also drove in five runs.

Blaze Jordan and Alec Burleson added solo home runs to help the Cardinals win a day after dropping the opener of the three-game series.

Báez is the first St. Louis player to homer in his first career plate appearance since Lane Thomas in June 2019.

Michael Conforto hit a three-run homer for the Cubs, who had won nine of 11.

Michael McGreevy (5-9) allowed three runs — all unearned — on five hits and two walks while striking out six in the first six innings to win for the first time since July 8.

Báez tagged Matthew Boyd (8-2) for all three homers. He drove his first, a two-run shot, deep into the left-center field bleachers in the first inning.

Conforto’s home run tied the game at 3-all in the second, but Báez led off the fourth and sent a full-count pitch down the left-field line, then went down the opposite side in the sixth for another two-run homer.

Jordan’s home run was the end of day for Boyd, who allowed seven runs on five hits and three walks in 5 1/3 innings. He struck out two.

Burleson homered off Colin Rea in the eighth.

The series ends Sunday afternoon when the Cardinals send Hunter Dobbins (2-3, 3.40 ERA) against fellow right-hander Edward Cabrera (5-4, 5.10). Cabrera (left hamstring strain) will be making his first start since June 23.

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St. Louis Cardinals' Joshua Baez celebrates after hitting a three-run home run during the first inning of a baseball game against the Chicago Cubs in Chicago, Saturday, Aug. 15, 2026. (AP Photo/Paul Beaty)

St. Louis Cardinals starter Michael McGreevy delivers a pitch during the first inning of a baseball game against the Chicago Cubs in Chicago, Saturday, Aug. 15, 2026. (AP Photo/Paul Beaty)

St. Louis Cardinals' Joshua Baez (22) celebrates with teammate Alec Burleson, left, after hitting a two-run home run during the sixth inning of a baseball game against the Chicago Cubs in Chicago, Saturday, Aug. 15, 2026. (AP Photo/Paul Beaty)

St. Louis Cardinals' Joshua Baez (22) celebrates with teammates in the dugout after hitting a solo home run during the fourth inning of a baseball game against the Chicago Cubs in Chicago, Saturday, Aug. 15, 2026. (AP Photo/Paul Beaty)

TEMPE, Ariz. (AP) — Arizona Cardinals rookie running back Jeremiyah Love will not practice this week because of a sore ankle.

Love — the No. 3 overall draft pick out of Notre Dame — hurt the ankle during the team's preseason 27-14 win over the Las Vegas Raiders on Thursday. Love was impressive in his debut, running for 58 yards on 11 carries.

“He came in yesterday a little bit more sore than he left," coach Mike LaFleur said Saturday. “He was in great spirits, even yesterday. We'll keep him out this week — let it heal. Little more sore than we were anticipating.”

The Cardinals do have considerable depth at running back with James Conner, Tyler Allgeier, Trey Benson and Bam Knight on the roster. Benson is dealing with a left knee injury while Conner is coming back from a foot injury that caused him to miss most of last season.

Also Saturday, the Cardinals put rookie guard Chase Bisontis on injured reserve, ending his season. The second-round pick out of Texas A&M tore the MCL in his left knee in the game against the Raiders and will require surgery.

It's been a tough run of injuries for the Cardinals' rookie class. The team's fourth-round pick, defensive lineman Kaleb Proctor, already is out for the season because of a knee injury that happened during offseason workouts.

Quarterback Carson Beck was held out of the Raiders game because he's dealing with an injury to his ribs, though LaFleur said that was a minor issue. Beck was the team's third-round pick out of Miami.

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Arizona Cardinals running back Jeremiyah Love, right, runs with the ball as he is tackled by Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Tommy Eichenberg (44) during the first half of a preseason NFL football game, Thursday, Aug. 13, 2026, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/John Locher)

Arizona Cardinals running back Jeremiyah Love (4) spins away from Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Hezekiah Masses during the first half of a preseason NFL football game, Thursday, Aug. 13, 2026, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/David Becker)

Arizona Cardinals running back Jeremiyah Love (4) runs between Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Hezekiah Masses (35) and Raiders safety Tristin McCollum (27) during the first half of a preseason NFL football game, Thursday, Aug. 13, 2026, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/David Becker)

Arizona Cardinals running back Jeremiyah Love, center, spins away from Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Hezekiah Masses during the first half of a preseason NFL football game, Thursday, Aug. 13, 2026, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/David Becker)

Arizona Cardinals running back Jeremiyah Love (4) runs past Las Vegas Raiders safety Treydan Stukes (31) during the first half of a preseason NFL football game, Thursday, Aug. 13, 2026, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/David Becker)