Nolan Gorman hit a pair of two-run homers, including one in a third inning that included three home runs, and the St. Louis Cardinals beat the Toronto Blue Jays 9-4 on Sunday.
Brendan Donovan and Alec Burleson also homered early in the game off Chris Bassitt, who was making his pitching debut for the Blue Jays.
Bassitt (0-1) signed a $63 million, three-year deal in December. On the first 14 pitches, he allowed all three home runs. He ended up allowing nine runs and 10 hits in 3 1/3 innings.
Jordan Montgomery (1-0) allowed three runs and six hits over five innings to earn the win.
Donovan, who stretched his hitting streak to 11 games, led the Cardinals’ 16-hit attack with two doubles and his first home run of the season. He teamed up with Burlesson to give St. Louis a 2-0 lead after just three pitches.
For the Blue Jays, the Dominicans Vladimir Guerrero Jr. 4-1, Santiago Espinal 4-0. Mexican Alejandro Kirk 3-1 with a run scored.
For the Cardinals, Venezuelan Willson Contreras 4-2 with a run scored.
