CHICAGO (AP) — Willson Contreras had two hits and two RBIs in his return to Wrigley Field, including a tiebreaking double as the St. Louis Cardinals beat the Chicago Cubs 3-1 on Monday.
St. Louis also got a big bullpen effort for its second win in a row after losing eight straight. Génesis Cabrera (1-0), Jordan Hicks and Ryan Helsley combined for 4 2/3 one-hit innings relieving Mikes Mikolas. Helsley got his fourth save.
It was the Cardinals’ first win to start a series this year. The 11-game losing streak to start a season was a franchise record.
Contreras was with Chicago seven seasons before leaving in free agency to sign a five-year, $87.5 million deal with St. Louis in December. And the three-time All-Star seemed to enjoy the setting for one of the biggest rivalries.
He greeted the 30,937 fans after the Cubs showed a tribute video and applauded him as he stepped up to bat, but the rest of the night was booed.
For the Cardinals, Venezuelan Willson Contreras 4-2 with a run scored and two RBIs.
