Nolan Arenado started a record four-run volley in the first inning and then hit another tiebreaking homer in the ninth as the St. Louis Cardinals beat the Philadelphia Phillies 7-6 on Saturday.
With two outs in the first inning, Arenado, Nolan Gorman, Juan Yepez and Dylan Carson hit back-to-back homers off Kyle Gibson.
The game is the first in major league history in which a team hit four straight home runs in a first inning.
“It was great to have been a part of it,” Arenado said. “Almost mind-boggling. Not to be believed. Those moments are special. I am very grateful to them.”
The Cardinals tied the MLB record for hitting four straight homers in any inning. It’s the first time they’ve done it and the 11th time overall in major league history.
“It was unbelievable,” Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol said. “The players took good swings. They went on the offensive.”
Home fans were stunned at Citizens Bank Park when Lars Nootbar stepped up to the plate after Carlson. But he hit a fly ball that was caught deep in left field just short of the warning track, ending the inning.
The board was 6-6 when Arenado led off the ninth and homered again this time against Seranthony Dominguez (4-2).
The ball went into left field and was the 17th homer for Arenado, who hit the cycle Friday night in the Cardinals’ 5-3 loss to the Phillies.
Cardinals closer Ryan Helsley (4-1) pitched shutout eighth and ninth innings, striking out five of the seven batters he faced.
For the Phillies, the Venezuelan Odubel Herrera 5-3, two runs scored. Dominican Yairo Muñoz 3-2, two produced.
For the Cardinals, Venezuelan Juan Yepez 5-1, one run scored, one RBI. The Dominican Albert Pujols 1-0. Panamanian Iván Herrera 4-0.
