CHICAGO (AP) – Nolan Arenado hit his 350th homer in the third inning and drove in the go-ahead run in the 10th to help the St. Louis Cardinals beat Chicago 8-6 on Thursday night to sweep a doubleheader and hand the White Sox their eighth straight loss.
Rookie Andre Granillo, who got the final out in the seventh for his first career victory in the first game, pitched a scoreless 10th for his first save in his fourth appearance. JoJo Romero (3-3) worked a scoreless ninth for the victory.
Arenado hit the milestone homer following a three-run shot by Alec Burleson in the third and finished 3 for 5. Hes the seventh player with 350 homers and 10-plus Gold Gloves.
Willson Contreras, who homered and drove in three runs to help St. Louis rally for a 5-4 win in the opener, had a two-out two-run double in the fourth for a 6-1 lead.
Andrew Benintendi hit his third career grand slam with two outs in the seventh to cap a five-run inning as Chicago tied it at 6.
Dan Altavilla (0-1) struck out Burleson to begin the 10th. Arenado singled to score automatic runner Jordan Walker, but was thrown out trying for a double. Lars Nootbaar added his ninth homer for an insurance run.
Ryan Noda homered leading off the second against St. Louis starter Michael McGreevy for his first hit with Chicago.
St. Louis has won three straight.
RHP Andre Pallante (4-3, 4.83) starts Friday for the Cardinals against the visiting Reds and RHP Brady Singer (7-4, 4.34). First pitch at Busch Stadium will be at 6:15. Friday’s game can be heard on KTLO AM 1240 with pregame coverage starting at 5:20 with Ameran Total Access.
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