PAUL GOLDSCHMIDT

As if eclipsing 60 home runs wasn't enough, New York Yankees star Aaron Judge is also chasing a Triple Crown. For much of the summer, the preeminent 2022 Triple Crown threat appeared to be St. Louis Cardinals first baseman Paul Goldschmidt. Is Aaron Judge in line for the Triple Crown? Not that the Triple Crown will necessarily be decided, but it's going to be an interesting four days in the Bronx. 60 — and sparked a game-winning rally — Judge moved into the lead for the AL batting title for the first time.

Blake Snell of the San Diego Padres has pitched six no-hit innings against Albert Pujols and the NL Central-leading St. Louis Cardinals.

Yadier Molina hit a two-run drive while Albert Pujols went hitless in his quest for 700 homers, and the St. Louis Cardinals beat the Cincinnati Reds 5-1 in the first game of a doubleheader.

ST. LOUIS — (AP) — Albert Pujols hit his 698th home run, a tying two-run drive in the sixth inning that sparked the St. Louis Cardinals over the Cincinnati Reds 6-5 on Friday night. Pujols hit a first-pitch slider from Raynel Espinal 427 feet into the left-field stands for his 19th home run this season, tying the score 4-4. Five of his last six home runs have come in the sixth inning or later, and his last five homers have tied the game or put St. Louis ahead. Pujols hit a drive to T.J. Friedl at the left-field wall in the seventh. St. Louis (85-60), which began the night with a 7 1/2-game lead over second-place Milwaukee in the NL Central, has 17 games remaining.

Albert Pujols hit his 698th home run, a tying two-run drive in the sixth inning that sparked the St. Louis Cardinals over the Cincinnati Reds 6-5.

PITTSBURGH — (AP) — Albert Pujols hit his 696th home run, tying Alex Rodriguez for fourth place on the career list, and the St. Louis Cardinals rallied past the Pittsburgh Pirates 7-5 Saturday night. The 42-year-old Pujols has 22 games left in his 22nd and final season in the big leagues. With St. Louis down 3-1 in the sixth, Pujols connected on a first-pitch slider from JT Brubaker. Pirates: RHP David Bednar threw a live batting practice on Saturday. Quintana and RHP Chris Stratton were sent to St. Louis on Aug. 1 in a trade that moved RHP Johan Oviedo and INF Malcolm Nuñez to the Pirates.

Albert Pujols hit his 696th home run, tying Alex Rodriguez for fourth place on the career list, and the St. Louis Cardinals rallied past the Pittsburgh Pirates 7-5.

Tommy Edman was confused. The St. Louis infielder thought he had made the final out. Instead, his long drive to left field nicked off the glove of outfielder Alex Call for a two-run, two-out double to cap St. Louis' five-run ninth inning in a 6-5 victory over the Washington Nationals on Wednesday night.

CHICAGO — (AP) — Paul Goldschmidt slugged his 32nd and 33rd homers to highlight a five-RBI performance, Corey Dickerson set a franchise record for consecutive hits and the St. Louis Cardinals rolled to an 8-3 win Thursday over the Chicago Cubs. The Cardinals collected 16 hits even without slugger Nolan Arenado, who returned to St. Louis to attend the birth of his first child. Nevertheless, the Cardinals collected 11 hits off starter Marcus Stroman (3-6), one more than Stroman surrendered against them on June 3. Nolan Gorman followed Dickerson’s first hit with an RBI single, and Tyler O’Neill capped the rally with a sacrifice fly. TRAINER’S ROOMCubs: C Willson Contreras (sore left ankle) missed his third consecutive start but is expected to return as soon as Friday.

Paul Goldschmidt slugged his 32nd and 33rd homers and had five RBIs, Corey Dickerson set a franchise record for consecutive hits and the St. Louis Cardinals rolled to an 8-3 win over the Chicago Cubs.

Javier Assad pitched four scoreless innings in his major league debut and combined with four relievers on a five-hitter as the Chicago Cubs cooled off the St. Louis Cardinals 2-0 in the first game of a doubleheader.

The St. Louis Cardinals are one of the few teams with too many options. The jumbo digs were eventually assigned to Albert Pujols and Yadier Molina, and who could really argue? Across the room was 34-year-old Paul Goldschmidt, one of the game's best first basemen who is a seven-time All-Star and in the midst of an MVP-caliber campaign.

PHOENIX — (AP) — Cardinals slugger Albert Pujols blasted two more homers, pushing his career total to 692 and helping St. Louis beat the Arizona Diamondbacks 16-7 on Saturday night. It was a vintage night for the 42-year-old Pujols, who continues to hit like a man at least a decade younger. He nearly hit a third homer, scorching a single off the base of the left field wall in the fifth. He capped his 4-for-4 night with a ground ball single through the left side of the infield in the seventh. The D-backs will pitch RHP Merrill Kelly (10-5, 2.81 ERA) while the Cardinals counter with LHP Jose Quintana (4-5, 3.38).

Cardinals slugger Albert Pujols blasted two more homers, pushing his career total to 692 and helping St. Louis beat the Arizona Diamondbacks 16-7.

St. Louis Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol leaned back in his chair postgame, trying to find more superlatives to describe ageless Albert Pujols. “Listen to the names that we're talking about, man,” Marmol said. Pujols blasted two more homers on Saturday night, pushing his career total to 692 and helping St. Louis beat the Arizona Diamondbacks 16-7.

Albert Pujols launched a pinch-hit grand slam and drove in five runs, Adam Wainwright pitched seven sharp innings and the St. Louis Cardinals routed the Colorado Rockies 13-0 for a three-game sweep.

Paul Goldschmidt and Tommy Edman homered, and St. Louis scored the winning run when Tyler O’Neill was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded in the bottom of the ninth inning, leading the Cardinals to a 5-4 win over the Colorado Rockies.

The Los Angeles Dodgers and New York Mets mostly ceded the spotlight at the trade deadline.

Yankees Cardinals Baseball St. Louis Cardinals starting pitcher Jordan Montgomery throws during the first inning of a baseball game against the New York Yankees Saturday, Aug. 6, 2022, in St. Louis. Making his first start for St. Louis since being acquired at the trade deadline earlier in the week, Montgomery (4-3) was taken out after five innings for precautionary reasons due to cramping. Four St. Louis pitchers held the Yankees to just two hits — singles in the first and third. Torre played for and managed the Cardinals and also managed the Yankees to four World Series titles. Cardinals: Adam Wainwright (8-8, 3.11) will be making his second career start and appearance against the Yankees.

Jordan Montgomery blanked his old teammates over five innings and Nolan Arenado drove in the lone run as the St. Louis Cardinals beat the New York Yankees 1-0.

Cubs Cardinals Baseball St. Louis Cardinals starting pitcher Adam Wainwright delivers during the first inning of the team's baseball game against the Chicago Cubs on Tuesday, Aug. 2, 2022, in St. Louis. (AP Photo / Scott Kane) (Scott Kane)ST. LOUIS — (AP) — Adam Wainwright pitched seven spotless innings with longtime catcher Yadier Molina back behind the plate, and the St. Louis Cardinals beat the Chicago Cubs 6-0 on Tuesday night. A three-run fifth put St. Louis up 5-0. TRADE DEADLINE MOVESCubs: Acquired minor league RHP Ben Brown from the Philadelphia Phillies for RHP David Robertson. ... Acquired minor league RHP Saúl González from the New York Mets for RHP Mychal Givens.

Adam Wainwright pitched seven spotless innings with longtime catcher Yadier Molina back behind the plate, and the St. Louis Cardinals beat the Chicago Cubs 6-0.

Aaron Judge and Pete Alonso swing away as the Subway Series starts up at Citi Field on Tuesday night with both New York teams in first place.

“It stinks that I can’t play in Toronto and can’t play these next couple games. I hate that part of it, but that’s unfortunately a consequence,” Goldschmidt said.

(AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill) (Mark J. Terrill)CINCINNATI — (AP) — Two of the St. Louis Cardinals' best players, third baseman Nolan Arenado and first baseman Paul Goldschmidt, won't be making the trip to Toronto for a short series with the Blue Jays because they haven't received the COVID-19 vaccination. The Cardinals announced Sunday that catcher Austin Romine also will not be going to Canada with the team for its Tuesday and Wednesday games. Arenado, Goldschmidt and Romine will be placed on the restricted list and forfeit pay and major league service time in accordance with the terms of MLB’s collective bargaining agreement. Goldschmidt currently leads the Cardinals in most offensive categories, including batting average (.333), home runs (22), RBIs (74), on-base percentage (.416) and hits (116). ___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_SportsCopyright 2022 The Associated Press.

St. Louis Cardinals third baseman Nolan Arenado and first baseman Paul Goldschmidt won’t travel to Toronto for a short series with the Blue Jays because they haven’t received the COVID-19 vaccination.

Here are a handful of players who played over their heads in the first half and could see their trade value plummet in the coming weeks. Xander Bogaerts (SS, Boston Red Sox)Among full-time players, only Paul Goldschmidt has a larger gap than Bogaerts between his batting average and xBA (via Statcast). There is no doubt that Machado is a great player who will have plenty of fantasy value during the second half. But like Bogaerts, Machado has a large gap between his batting average and xBA. Jeff McNeil (2B/OF, New York Mets)McNeil is another player with a big gap between his .300 batting average and xBA.

(AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill) (Mark J. Terrill)LOS ANGELES — (AP) — The All-Star Game showcased what baseball has become — home runs, strikeouts and offense-killing shifts. The National League didn't have a hit between the first and eighth innings of Tuesday night's 3-2 loss, its ninth in a row. Giancarlo Stanton hit a two-run homer in the fourth off Tony Gonsolin, and Byron Buxton went deep four pitches later. Not a surprise in a season that has been the big league batting average dip to .242, its lowest since 1967. Baseball's competition committee is considering changes for next season that some purists consider revolutionary and some conclude necessary.

The All-Star Game showcased what baseball has become — home runs, strikeouts and offense-killing shifts.

Angels star Shohei Ohtani called his shot before leading off the Midsummer Classic at Dodger Stadium, telling Fox’s Tom Verducci in the on-deck circle that he was going to jump on Clayton Kershaw quickly.

(AP Photo/Abbie Parr)The American League’s dominance of the All-Star Game rolls on. The AL won the 2022 Midsummer Classic at Dodger Stadium thanks to back-to-back homers by Giancarlo Stanton and Byron Buxton. It's the ninth straight All-Star Game victory for the AL. The NL took an early lead when Ronald Acuña Jr. and Mookie Betts roped back-to-back hits to open the game. KERSHAW PICKS OFF OHTANI 👏 pic.twitter.com/kw10RoHIFV — FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) July 20, 2022Highlights of the 2022 MLB All-Star GameThe most thrilling highlight came courtesy of Andres Gimenez.

Los Angeles Dodgers ace Clayton Kershaw will start for the National League on Tuesday night in the first All-Star Game at Dodger Stadium since 1980, and Tampa Bay’s Shane McClanahan will be on the mound for the American League.

The real hardware won’t be handed out until early October, but here are the players who are on pace to pick up the major fantasy awards. 1 fantasy starter to this point in the season, leading the Majors in ERA and WHIP while sitting in a tie for second in strikeouts. Strider has struck out 77 batters across his 10 starts and could be among the Major League strikeout leaders from this point forward. Best Waiver Wire AdditionAmerican League – Luis Arraez (Minnesota Twins)Finding the Major League batting champ on waivers feels like a major coup, but in the case of Arraez, it wasn’t too surprising. The right-hander has thus stabilized a rotation that has dealt with multiple injuries by going 11-0 with a 2.02 ERA.

Sure, things may seem bleak right now, but many players are going to experience massive upticks in their production during the second half of the campaign. Goldschmidt was 33 at the start of last season's second half, and he was on the downside of his career after several years near the top of the fantasy landscape. Last year, he rose above the rubble of a retooling Nats lineup to present his case as baseball's best hitter in the second half. Blue Jays reliever Jordan Romano reached the 2021 All-Star break with just seven saves before ranking third in baseball with 16 saves in the second half. He could become the full-time closer in the second half and rank among the saves leaders.

Hanser Alberto hit a tiebreaking single with two outs in the ninth inning and the Los Angeles Dodgers climbed out of a huge hole in a 7-6 victory over the St. Louis Cardinals.

Kyle Gibson kept the ball in the park against St. Louis this time, Alec Bohm broke a scoreless tie with a sacrifice fly in the ninth inning and the Philadelphia Phillies edged the St. Louis Cardinals 1-0.

Los Angeles will be well represented in the July 19 All-Star Game at Dodger Stadium.

(AP Photo/Lynne Sladky) (Lynne Sladky)Mike Trout and Shohei Ohtani of the Los Angeles Angels were elected Friday to start in the July 19 All-Star Game along with outfielders Mookie Betts and Trea Turner of the host Dodgers. Toronto catcher Alejandro Kirk and Miami second baseman Jazz Chisholm Jr. were voted to start as first-time All-Stars, finishing atop their positions in the second round of fan voting. The AL starting lineup includes Blue Jays first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Houston second baseman Jose Altuve, Chicago White Sox shortstop Tim Anderson, Boston third baseman Rafael Devers and Kirk behind the plate. Giancarlo Stanton of the Yankees joined Judge and Trout in the outfield, while Ohtani was voted in as designated hitter. Goldschmidt earned a $250,000 bonus for his selection, Altuve, Harper, Stanton and Trout get $50,000 each, and Anderson receives $25,000.

Mike Trout and Shohei Ohtani of the Los Angeles Angels were elected Friday to start in the July 19 All-Star Game along with outfielders Mookie Betts and Trea Turner of the host Dodgers.

Nolan Arenado sparked a record barrage of four straight home runs by St. Louis in the first inning, then hit a tiebreaking drive in the ninth that sent the Cardinals over the Philadelphia Phillies 7-6.

The St. Louis Cardinals became the first major league team to ever hit four straight home runs in the first inning when Nolan Arenado, Nolan Gorman, Juan Yepez and Dylan Carson connected against Philadelphia.

(AP Photo/Morry Gash) (Morry Gash)NEW YORK — (AP) — The major league batting average was .242 in June, down from .245 in May, and home runs are down 9% from last season at this point, according to the Elias Sports Bureau. The season batting average began Friday at .242. Batting average was an especially low .231 through April. Runs per team per game have averaged 4.34, down from 4.44 per game through June 30 last year. Home runs averaged 1.07 per team per game, down from 1.18 at this point last season.

Yankees outfielder Aaron Judge and Atlanta Braves outfielder Ronald Acuña Jr. were elected Thursday to start in the July 20 All-Star Game at Dodger Stadium.

Phillies interim manager Rob Thomson said the infection had improved enough for Harper to be available off the bench in the opener against the Rangers. He was 0-5 in his previous eight starts before winning at Oakland on Friday, when he gave up one run in five innings. Triston McKenzie (4-5, 2.96 ERA) pitches for the Guardians against Sonny Gray (3-1, 2.09) in the middle game of the series. With his fifth team in seven major league seasons, Anderson nearly threw a no-hitter last Wednesday night. He shut down the Los Angeles Angels until Shohei Ohtani tripled with one out in the ninth inning for their first hit.

Philadelphia slugger Bryce Harper could return to the lineup Wednesday for the finale of a two-game series at Texas after an infected blister on his left index finger sidelined him for two games last weekend at Washington.

Corbin Burnes pitched seven dominant innings, Tyrone Taylor hit a two-run homer and the Milwaukee Brewers regained sole possession of first place in the NL Central with a 2-0 victory over the St. Louis Cardinals.

Miles Mikolas of the St. Louis Cardinals is pitching a no-hitter through eight innings against the Pittsburgh Pirates in the second game of a doubleheader.

Miles Mikolas was one strike from a no-hitter when he gave up a double to Cal Mitchell with two outs in the ninth inning, and the St. Louis Cardinals routed the Pittsburgh Pirates 9-1 to sweep a doubleheader.

Tommy Edman hit a two-run homer with two outs in the ninth inning for the first walkoff RBI of his major league career, lifting the St. Louis Cardinals over Cincinnati 5-4 in yet another Reds bullpen collapse.

Shane McClanahan pitched eight superb innings to win his fifth consecutive start and the Tampa Bay Rays completed a three-game sweep of the St. Louis Cardinals with a 2-1 victory.

Yankees pitching has been overwhelming early in games recently, and Jordan Montgomery will try to extend their dominance in an early tilt against the Tigers.

Matt Swarmer earned his first big league win and Frank Schwindel homered in a three-hit showing to lead the Chicago Cubs to a 6-1 win over the St. Louis Cardinals in the first game of a doubleheader.

Goldschmidt homered to extend his string to 25 games as St. Louis routed the Chicago Cubs 14-5 on Friday. Goldschmidt has 10 homers and 36 RBIs in his last 22 games, a stretch that began May 11. STAR TURNTrea Turner tries to run his hitting streak to 27 games when the Los Angeles Dodgers take on the New York Mets. In his last start, Giants manager Gabe Kapler congratulated Webb after eight innings and 98 pitches on Sunday. Philadelphia’s Kyle Schwarber homered leading off the ninth, Webb was removed and San Francisco won in 10 innings.

Cardinals star Paul Goldschmidt could set the longest hitting streak of his career if he’s successful in both games of a day-night doubleheader at Wrigley Field on Saturday.

Cardinals Cubs Baseball St. Louis Cardinals' Paul Goldschmidt (46) celebrates with teammates after hitting a three-run home run against the Chicago Cubs during the third inning of a baseball game, Friday, June 3, 2022, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Kamil Krzaczynski) (Kamil Krzaczynski)CHICAGO — (AP) — Paul Goldschmidt homered to extend his hitting streak to 25 games, Corey Dickerson went deep twice and the St. Louis Cardinals routed the Chicago Cubs 14-5 on Friday. Goldschmidt hit a three-run drive in the third for his 12th home run. Goldschmidt has 10 homers and 36 RBIs in his last 22 games, a stretch that began May 11,. Patrick Wisdom hit a three-run homer in the first and RBI single in the seventh.

Paul Goldschmidt homered to extend his hitting streak to 25 games, Corey Dickerson went deep twice, and the St. Louis Cardinals pounded the Chicago Cubs 14-5.

Rockies Giants Baseball San Francisco Giants' manager Gabe Kapler watches play during the ninth inning of a baseball game against the Colorado Rockies, Tuesday, May 10, 2022 in San Francisco. Kapler has been avoiding the field during the anthem the past few days as a political protest following the school shootings in Texas. “I’m very comfortable taking it day by day,” he said Sunday. Lefty Packy Naughton (0-1, 2.89 ERA) starts for St. Louis against Padres righty Nick Martinez (2-2, 3.86). Peterson won last week with six solid innings at San Francisco in his first major league start in three weeks.

Rockies Giants Baseball San Francisco Giants' manager Gabe Kapler watches play during the ninth inning of a baseball game against the Colorado Rockies, Tuesday, May 10, 2022 in San Francisco. Kapler has been avoiding the field during the anthem the past few days as a political protest following the school shootings in Texas. “I’m very comfortable taking it day by day,” he said Sunday. Lefty Packy Naughton (0-1, 2.89 ERA) starts for St. Louis against Padres righty Nick Martinez (2-2, 3.86). Peterson won last week with six solid innings at San Francisco in his first major league start in three weeks.

San Francisco Giants manager Gabe Kapler says he might return to the field for the national anthem in recognition of Memorial Day when his team opens a three-game series at Philadelphia.

Nolan Gorman hit his first major league homer and Matthew Liberatore earned his first major league win, helping the St. Louis Cardinals beat the Milwaukee Brewers 8-3.

(AP Photo/Jeff Roberson) (Jeff Roberson)ST. LOUIS — (AP) — Josh Hader escaped a ninth-inning jam in his 37th straight scoreless appearance and the Milwaukee Brewers held off the St. Louis Cardinals 4-3 Thursday night for their third straight win. Hader, activated from the family medical emergency list earlier in the day, earned his 16th save in 16 tries this season. It’s the longest streak for St. Louis since Matt Carpenter reached in 35 straight in 2018. He gave up three hits over five innings to get the win in a 5-1 win April 14 in Milwaukee. Cardinals: RHP Dakota Hudson (3-2, 3.60) seeks his second win in his fifth start of May, during which he’s only made it out of the fifth inning once.

Josh Hader escaped a ninth-inning jam in his 37th straight scoreless appearance and the Milwaukee Brewers held off the St. Louis Cardinals 4-3 for their third straight win.

Chicago White Sox star Tim Anderson has accused Yankees slugger Josh Donaldson of making a racist remark during Saturday’s game and Major League Baseball is looking into the incident.

Cardinals Mets Baseball New York Mets' Pete Alonso celebrates his walk-off two-run home run with teammates during the tenth inning of a baseball game against the St. Louis Cardinals on Thursday, May 19, 2022, in New York. Albert Pujols hit a run-scoring double play grounder in the 10th of the Cardinals' first-extra inning game this year. With the automatic runner on second, Alonso drove the second pitch from Giovanny Gallegos (0-2) into the left field second deck for his third career game-ending home run. It was the 10th home run of the season for Alonso, who leads the major leagues with 33 RBIs. The ball whizzed just over the head of Alonso, who has been hit on the helmet twice this season.

Hours after the Mets learned Max Scherzer will join fellow ace Jacob deGrom on the injured list, Pete Alonso kept New York rolling with a two-run homer in the 10th inning for a 7-6 win over the St. Louis Cardinals.

Adam Wainwright and Yadier Molina set a major league record for wins by a starting battery as the St. Louis Cardinals routed the San Francisco Giants 15-6 in a game that ended with longtime slugger Albert Pujols on the mound.

Yadier Molina homered and drove in four runs and Adam Wainwright tossed six effective innings to lead the St. Louis Cardinals to a 15-6 win over the San Francisco Giants on Sunday night that ended with veteran slugger Albert Pujols on the mound. Paul Goldschmidt and Nolan Arenado each added a two-run homer for the Cardinals, who took two of three in the series after losing two of three to Baltimore. Goldschmidt drove in three runs.

Dakota Hudson and a quartet of relievers combined to help the St. Louis Cardinals stop San Francisco’s six-game winning streak, blanking the Giants 4-0.

Jordan Binnington made 25 saves and the St. Louis Blues beat the Minnesota Wild 5-1 in Game 6 to advance to the second round of the Western Conference playoffs.

Adam Wainwright pitched seven innings of one-hit ball, Nolan Arenado hit a three-run shot and finished with five RBIs, and the Cardinals beat the Royals 10-0 to take their four-game season series.

Royals Cardinals Baseball St. Louis Cardinals' Paul Goldschmidt is congratulated by teammates after hitting a solo home run during the first inning of a baseball game against the Kansas City Royals Monday, May 2, 2022, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson) (Jeff Roberson)ST. LOUIS — (AP) — Paul Goldschmidt hit an early home run and Steven Matz and the St. Louis bullpen made it stand up, leading the Cardinals over the Kansas City Royals 1-0 Monday. The Royals lost their fourth in a row overall, and have dropped 21 of their last 28 to St. Louis dating to Aug. 7, 2017. St. Louis relievers Kodi Whitley, Nick Wittgren and Giovanny Gallegos were equally sharp, each pitching an inning in the combined five-hitter. He said after the game Sunday that neither he nor the St. Louis medical staff believe the injury is serious.

Paul Goldschmidt hit an early home run and Steven Matz and the St. Louis bullpen made it stand up, leading the Cardinals over the Kansas City Royals 1-0.

Merrill Kelly threw seven shutout innings and Ketel Marte and Nick Ahmed each homered in the eighth inning, lifting the Arizona Diamondbacks 2-0 over the St. Louis Cardinals.

Pinch-hitter Dominic Smith hustled for an infield single that drove in two pivotal runs, and the New York Mets capitalized on an uncharacteristic error by Gold Glove third baseman Nolan Arenado to rally for five runs with two outs in the ninth inning of a 5-2 victory over the St. Louis Cardinals.

Nolan Arenado hit three doubles and a single, Paul DeJong homered and the St. Louis Cardinals beat the Pittsburgh Pirates 6-2.

Adam Wainwright pitched six scoreless innings, Tyler O’Neill hit a three-run homer and drove in five, and the St. Louis Cardinals celebrated Albert Pujols’ return with a 9-0 season-opening win over the Pittsburgh Pirates.

Albert Pujols will be in the starting lineup for the St. Louis Cardinals against the Pittsburgh Pirates when he begins his final big league season Thursday in what should be an emotional return to Busch Stadium.

Another negotiating session produced only minor movement and no proposals on big-money issues, leaving Major League Baseball four days from management’s Monday night deadline for a deal to salvage opening day and a 162-game season.

A game enshrined in memory that forged a lifetime of friendship. Michelle Miller looks back on MLB’’s famous "shot heard round the world," and sees how it's bonded some baseball fans for seven decades.

Paul Goldschmidt hit a walk-off RBI single in the ninth inning, and the playoff-bound St. Louis Cardinals won for the 19th time in their last 20 games, 4-3 over the Chicago Cubs on Friday night. Tyler O'Neill homered twice and threw out the potential go-ahead run in the ninth inning for the Cardinals, who will play either the Los Angeles Dodgers or the San Francisco Giants in the NL wild-card game. Dakota Hudson made his first start for the Cardinals in more than a year, allowing three hits in five scoreless innings.

Cardinals Cubs Baseball St. Louis Cardinals' Harrison Bader, left, celebrates after hitting a solo home run as Chicago Cubs catcher Willson Contreras looks up during the eighth inning of a baseball game in Chicago, Sunday, Sept. 26, 2021. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh) (Nam Y. Huh)CHICAGO — (AP) — Make it a very sweet 16 for the St. Louis Cardinals. Next up is a three-game series against NL Central champion Milwaukee beginning on Tuesday night in St. Louis. St. Louis jumped in front on another Goldschmidt drive, a massive solo shot to center off Keegan Thompson with one out in the third. Cubs: RHP Alec Mills (6-7, 4.83 ERA) starts Tuesday night in the opener of a three-game series at Pittsburgh.

Andrew Knizner slid across home plate, hopped up and pumped his right arm in jubilation. Make it a very sweet 16 for the St. Louis Cardinals. Knizner scored the go-ahead run on Codi Heuer's wild pitch in the ninth inning, and the Cardinals beat the lowly Chicago Cubs 4-2 on Sunday for their 16th straight victory.

Cardinals Cubs Baseball St. Louis Cardinals' Paul Goldschmidt watches his one-run single during the sixth inning in the first baseball game of a doubleheader against the Chicago Cubs in Chicago, Friday, Sept. 24, 2021. The win streak has rocketed the Cards into control of the second NL wild card, leading Philadelphia by five games. Paul DeJong also went deep and Nootbaar added a single for three hits in his first multihomer game as St. Louis pulled away. It’s the second time St. Louis has had three hitters with 30 or more. TRAINER’S ROOMCardinals: SS Edmundo Sosa was in the right hand by a pitch in the sixth first game and left the game.

Cardinals Cubs Baseball St. Louis Cardinals' Paul Goldschmidt watches his one-run single during the sixth inning in the first baseball game of a doubleheader against the Chicago Cubs in Chicago, Friday, Sept. 24, 2021. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh) (Nam Y. Huh)CHICAGO — (AP) — The surging St. Louis Cardinals soared to their 13th straight win Friday, using homers by Paul Goldschmidt and Tyler O’Neill to top the Chicago Cubs 8-5 in the opener of a doubleheader. It's the longest win streak for St. Louis since it set a team record with 14 in a row in July 1938. St. Louis also got a pinch-hit homer from José Rondón, and Tommy Edman finished with three hits. Alex Reyes (10-8) got five outs for the win, and Giovanny Gallegos tossed a perfect seventh for his 13th save.

Paul Goldschmidt homered twice, and the St. Louis Cardinals overcame a five-run deficit to beat the Milwaukee Brewers 8-5 Thursday and extend their longest winning streak in 39 years to 12 games. On a day Adam Wainwright faltered early, St. Louis trailed 5-0 before rallying with one run in the fifth, four in the seventh, two in the eighth and one in the ninth. “They picked me up big time today,” Wainwright said of his teammates.

Paul Goldschmidt and Tyler O’Neill homered as the St. Louis Cardinals won their 11th straight game, extending their lead for the second NL wild-card spot and beating the division-leading Milwaukee Brewers 10-2 Wednesday night. Goldschmidt also doubled, singled and scored four runs to help St. Louis stretch its best winning streak since an 11-game string in 2001. The Cardinals' longest winning streak in franchise history is 14, in 1935 with a team led by Hall of Famer pitcher Dizzy Dean.

Cardinals Mets Baseball St. Louis Cardinals' Harrison Bader (48) celebrates with Paul Goldschmidt (46) after Goldschmidt hit a home run during the seventh inning of a baseball game against the New York Mets Wednesday, Sept. 15, 2021, in New York. They dropped five games behind St. Louis, with three teams in between. St. Louis still hopes the front-line starter (9-2, 3.08 ERA) can offer something in relief at some point this year. St. Louis also will celebrate the 10th anniversary of its 2011 World Series championship this weekend. Mets: RHP Taijuan Walker (7-9, 4.29 ERA) pitches Friday night at Citi Field against ex-Met Zack Wheeler (13-9, 2.86) and the Phillies.

Cardinals Brewers Baseball Milwaukee Brewers' Daniel Vogelbach is congratulated by teammates after hitting a walk-off grand slam during the ninth inning of a baseball game against the St. Louis Cardinals Sunday, Sept. 5, 2021, in Milwaukee. Reyes (5-8) entered the game after the Brewers had loaded the bases off Giovanny Gallegos. Vogelbach, who just got activated Wednesday after spending over two months on the injured list, was mobbed at home plate and got doused with the contents of a Gatorade bucket. TRAINER’S ROOMBrewers SS Willy Adames went on the 10-day injured list with a left quadriceps strain. “Put him on the injured list and give him some time to heal.”The Brewers recalled utilityman Tim Lopes from Triple-A Nashville.