
Spoelstra: No need to penalize Ball any further
Erik Spoelstra supports no further penalties for LaMelo Ball after flagrant foul.
JJ Wetherholt recorded his first multi-home run game as a rookie for the St. Louis Cardinals, hitting two homers in a 6-5 victory over the Cleveland Guardians. This performance doubled his career home run total in one night.
JJ Wetherholt records first multi-home run game as Cardinals rookie shows power originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
JJ Wetherholt delivered his first career multi-home run game on Tuesday, providing a clear step forward early in his MLB career for the St. Louis Cardinals.
Wetherholt homered twice against the Cleveland Guardians, accounting for two of St. Louis’ biggest swings in a 6-5 win. His first came in the third inning on a 396-foot shot to right-center. He followed that up in the eighth inning with a two-run homer to left field, tying the game and giving the Cardinals a late push.
It marked his first multi-HR game in the majors and doubled his career home run total in a single night.
Wetherholt entered the game still early in his adjustment to MLB pitching after debuting in March. Through his first stretch in the league, production had been limited, but this performance showed the power that made him a first-round pick.
The 23-year-old was selected seventh overall in the 2024 MLB Draft and moved quickly through the minors. His offensive profile was built on contact, gap power and plate discipline, and Tuesday’s game was the first time that translated fully at the MLB level.
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For St. Louis, contributions from young hitters remain important as the team looks for consistency around the .500 mark. For Wetherholt, this game serves as a benchmark. Early-career production can be uneven, but multi-home run performances typically indicate a player is starting to adjust. If that trend continues, the Cardinals may have found another reliable bat in their lineup sooner than expected.
JJ Wetherholt hit two home runs in his first multi-home run game.
JJ Wetherholt played against the Cleveland Guardians during his multi-home run game.
Wetherholt's performance was significant as it contributed to the Cardinals' 6-5 win and marked a major milestone in his early MLB career.

Erik Spoelstra supports no further penalties for LaMelo Ball after flagrant foul.
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