Cardinals defeat Twins to begin 2025 season

ST. LOUIS, Mo. (KMIZ)

The Cardinals have clinched their first win on MLB Opening Day since the 2022 season.

St. Louis (1-0) scored four unanswered runs in the first four frames against Minnesota (0-1), leading them to a 5-3 win in its season opener.

The Redbirds scored in each of the first three frames, posting four unanswered runs to start the contest. Brendan Donovan brought home the team's first run of the season with a first-inning RBI single. Then, Lars Nootbaar hit the first home run at Busch Stadium this year with a two-run shot in the second frame. Finally, Ivan Herrera added an RBI single to extend the team's lead to 4-0 after three frames.

Sonny Gray was effective in his first start of the season, allowing just two runs on four hits with six strikeouts over five innings. The only blemish on Gray's outing was a two-run home run from Harrison Bader in his last inning of work, which cut Minnesota's deficit to two runs.

The Twins tagged relief pitcher Kyle Leahy with another run in the sixth frame, courtesy of an RBI double from Willi Castro. However, Nolan Arenado cushioned his team's lead with a solo shot in the eighth inning, and then, Ryan Helsley slammed the door on Minnesota in the final frame, striking out three of the four batters he faced.

Four different players recorded two-hit performances for the Cardinals, including Nootbaar, Donovan, Arenado and Herrera. Each of those players tallied at least one RBI in the contest. Alec Burleson and Jordan Walker also posted their first hits of the 2025 season.

Up next - The Cardinals will seek a series win in their first three-game set of the year. First pitch for game two between St. Louis and Minnesota is scheduled for Saturday, March 29 at 1:15 p.m.