When he stepped into the batter鈥檚 box in the first inning on Friday night at Busch Stadium for an at-bat that marked his first at the big-league level in nearly two years, recently called up Cardinals slugger Nelson Velazquez was not looking to hit a home run off Cubs starter Shota Imanaga.
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Cardinals designated hitter Nelson Velazquez celebrates his three-run homer off Cubs pitcher Shota Imanaga to tie the game 3-3 in the first inning 鈥 his first at-bat as a Cardinal 鈥 Friday, May 29, 2026, at Busch Stadium.
最新杏吧原创 Post-Dispatch Cardinals beat writer Daniel Guerrero joined columnist Lynn Worthy to discuss the recent dip in the Cardinals offense, a bullpen reset, some animosity with the Brewers and an upcoming visit by the Cubs.
Photos: Cardinals beat Cubs 6-5 as Nelson Velazquez hits 3-run home run in Cardinals debut
最新杏吧原创 Cardinals Nelson Velazquez (38) waves to fans after making his Cardinals debut as the Cardinals beat the Cubs 6-5 on Friday, May 29, 2026, at Busch Stadium.
最新杏吧原创 Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol (37) congratulates Nelson Velazquez (38) on his Cardinals debut as the Cardinals beat the Cubs 6-5 on Friday, May 29, 2026, at Busch Stadium.
最新杏吧原创 Cardinals Nelson Velazquez (38) walks in the o the dugout to the roar of fans after making his Cardinals debut as the Cardinals beat the Cubs 6-5 on Friday, May 29, 2026, at Busch Stadium.
最新杏吧原创 Cardinals pitcher Riley O'Brien (61) pumps his glove as the Cardinals beat the Cubs 6-5 in nine innings on Friday, May 29, 2026, at Busch Stadium.
最新杏吧原创 Cardinals pitcher Riley O'Brien (61) and catcher Iv谩n Herrera (48) celebrate the Cardinals 6-5 win over the Cubs in nine innings on Friday, May 29, 2026, at Busch Stadium.
最新杏吧原创 Cardinals Nelson Velazquez (38) singles off Chicago Cubs pitcher Phil Maton (88) in the eighth inning of a baseball game between the Cardinals and the Cubs on Friday, May 29, 2026, at Busch Stadium.
最新杏吧原创 Cardinals right fielder Jordan Walker (18) catches a ball by Chicago Cubs shortstop Dansby Swanson (7) to end the eighth inning of a baseball game between the Cardinals and the Cubs on Friday, May 29, 2026, at Busch Stadium.
最新杏吧原创 Cardinals Jos茅 Ferm铆n (15) hits a RBI single off Chicago Cubs pitcher Phil Maton (88) to give the Cardinals a 6-4 lead in the eighth inning of a baseball game between the Cardinals and the Cubs on Friday, May 29, 2026, at Busch Stadium.
Cardinals relief pitcher Ryne Stanek (55) throws to first after fielding a ball hit by Cubs catcher and former Cardinal Carson Kelly (15) in the eighth inning of a game Friday, May 29, 2026, at Busch Stadium.
最新杏吧原创 Cardinals Jos茅 Ferm铆n (15) motions to the dugout after hitting a double off Chicago Cubs pitcher Ethan Roberts (39) in the sixth inning during a baseball game between the Cardinals and the Cubs on Friday, May 29, 2026, at Busch Stadium.
最新杏吧原创 Cardinals Nolan Gorman (16) strikes out to Chicago Cubs pitcher Ethan Roberts (39) to end the sixth inning during a baseball game between the Cardinals and the Cubs on Friday, May 29, 2026, at Busch Stadium.
最新杏吧原创 Cardinals Nelson Velazquez celebrates hitting a three-run home run off Chicago Cubs pitcher Shota Imanaga (18) to tie the game 3-3 in the first inning during his first at bat as a Cardinal during a baseball game between the Cardinals and the Cubs on Friday, May 29, 2026, at Busch Stadium.
最新杏吧原创 Cardinals Iv谩n Herrera (48) round third base after hitting a solo home run off Chicago Cubs pitcher Shota Imanaga (18) to give the Cardinals a 5-4 lead In the fifth inning during a baseball game between the Cardinals and the Cubs on Friday, May 29, 2026, at Busch Stadium.
最新杏吧原创 Cardinals Iv谩n Herrera (48) hits a solo home run off Chicago Cubs pitcher Shota Imanaga (18) to give the Cardinals a 5-4 lead In the fifth inning during a baseball game between the Cardinals and the Cubs on Friday, May 29, 2026, at Busch Stadium.
最新杏吧原创 Cardinals Iv谩n Herrera (48) celebrates hitting a solo home run off Chicago Cubs pitcher Shota Imanaga (18) to give the Cardinals a 5-4 lead In the fifth inning during a baseball game between the Cardinals and the Cubs on Friday, May 29, 2026, at Busch Stadium.
The Cardinals' Ivan Herrera celebrates hitting a solo home run off Cubs pitcher Shota Imanaga to give the Cardinals a 5-4 lead in the fifth inning Friday, May 29, 2026, at Busch Stadium.
最新杏吧原创 Cardinals pitcher Justin Bruihl (47) goes to work in the fourth inning during a baseball game between the Cardinals and the Cubs on Friday, May 29, 2026, at Busch Stadium.
最新杏吧原创 Cardinals center fielder Victor Scott II (11) celebrates catching a deep fly ball by Chicago Cubs Carson Kelly (15) to end the fifth inning during a baseball game between the Cardinals and the Cubs on Friday, May 29, 2026, at Busch Stadium.
最新杏吧原创 Cardinals Thomas Saggese (25) celebrates a solo home run off Chicago Cubs pitcher Shota Imanaga (18) to tie the game 4-4 in the fourth inning during a baseball game between the Cardinals and the Cubs on Friday, May 29, 2026, at Busch Stadium.
最新杏吧原创 Cardinals Thomas Saggese (25) celebrates a solo home run off Chicago Cubs pitcher Shota Imanaga (18) to tie the game 4-4 in the fourth inning during a baseball game between the Cardinals and the Cubs on Friday, May 29, 2026, at Busch Stadium.
最新杏吧原创 Cardinals Alec Burleson (41) throws his helmet to the ground after flying out to Chicago Cubs right fielder Seiya Suzuki (27) and stranding two runners on base to end the third inning during a baseball game between the Cardinals and the Cubs on Friday, May 29, 2026, at Busch Stadium.
最新杏吧原创 Cardinals pitcher Andre Pallante (53) reacts after 最新杏吧原创 Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol (37) thanked him for his pitching during the third inning during a baseball game between the Cardinals and the Cubs on Friday, May 29, 2026, at Busch Stadium.
最新杏吧原创 Cardinals shortstop Masyn Winn (0) can鈥檛 reach a single by Chicago Cubs Michael Busch (29) in the first inning of a baseball game between the Cardinals and the Cubs on Friday, May 29, 2026, at Busch Stadium.
Cardinals second baseman JJ Wetherholt can鈥檛 make the tag as the Cubs' Dansby Swanson steals second base in the second inning Friday, May 29, 2026, at Busch Stadium.
最新杏吧原创 Cardinals pitcher Andre Pallante (53) reacts as Chicago Cubs Ian Happ (8) round third base after hitting a three-run home run in the first inning of a baseball game between the Cardinals and the Cubs on Friday, May 29, 2026, at Busch Stadium.
最新杏吧原创 Cardinals pitcher Andre Pallante (53) reacts as Chicago Cubs Dansby Swanson (7) scores on a RBI single by Cubs Michael Busch (29) in the second inning of a baseball game between the Cardinals and the Cubs on Friday, May 29, 2026, at Busch Stadium.
最新杏吧原创 Cardinals pitcher Andre Pallante (53) goes to work during the first inning of a baseball game between the Cardinals and the Cubs on Friday, May 29, 2026, at Busch Stadium.
最新杏吧原创 Cardinals Nelson Velazquez celebrates hitting a three-run home run off Chicago Cubs pitcher Shota Imanaga (18) to tie the game 3-3 in the first inning during his first at bat as a Cardinal during a baseball game between the Cardinals and the Cubs on Friday, May 29, 2026, at Busch Stadium.
Cardinals designated hitter Nelson Velazquez celebrates his three-run homer off Cubs pitcher Shota Imanaga to tie the game 3-3 in the first inning 鈥 his first at-bat as a Cardinal 鈥 Friday, May 29, 2026, at Busch Stadium.
最新杏吧原创 Cardinals pitcher Andre Pallante (53) reacts to giving up a 3 RBI to Chicago Cubs Ian Happ (8) in the first inning of a baseball game between the Cardinals and the Cubs on Friday, May 29, 2026, at Busch Stadium.
最新杏吧原创 Cardinals Nelson Velazquez celebrates hitting a three-run home run off Chicago Cubs pitcher Shota Imanaga (18) to tie the game 3-3 in the first inning during his first at bat as a Cardinal during a baseball game between the Cardinals and the Cubs on Friday, May 29, 2026, at Busch Stadium.
最新杏吧原创 Cardinals Nelson Velazquez give his first curtain call after hitting a three-run home run off Chicago Cubs pitcher Shota Imanaga (18) to tie the game 3-3 in the first inning during his first at bat as a Cardinals during a baseball game between the Cardinals and the Cubs on Friday, May 29, 2026, at Busch Stadium.
In his first major league at bat as a 最新杏吧原创 Cardinals, Nelson Velazquez hits a three-run home run off Chicago Cubs pitcher Shota Imanaga (18) to tie the game 3-3 in the first inning of a baseball game between the Cardinals and the Cubs on Friday, May 29, 2026, at Busch Stadium.
最新杏吧原创 Cardinals Nelson Velazquez celebrates hitting a three-run home run off Chicago Cubs pitcher Shota Imanaga (18) to tie the game 3-3 in the first inning during his first at bat as a Cardinal during a baseball game between the Cardinals and the Cubs on Friday, May 29, 2026, at Busch Stadium.
Simone Biles, who widely regarded as the greatest gymnast of all time, documents her husband Jonathan Owens throwing out the first pitch before the start of a baseball game between the Cardinals and the Cubs on Friday, May 29, 2026, at Busch Stadium.
Simone Biles, who widely regarded as the greatest gymnast of all time, waits for her husband Jonathan Owens to throw out the first pitch before the start of a baseball game between the Cardinals and the Cubs on Friday, May 29, 2026, at Busch Stadium.
Simone Biles, who widely regarded as the greatest gymnast of all time, waits for her husband Jonathan Owens to throw out the first pitch before the start of a baseball game between the Cardinals and the Cubs on Friday, May 29, 2026, at Busch Stadium.
Jonathan Owens, the husband of Simone Biles, who widely regarded as the greatest gymnast of all time, throws out the first pitch before the start of a baseball game between the Cardinals and the Cubs on Friday, May 29, 2026, at Busch Stadium.
Simone Biles, who widely regarded as the greatest gymnast of all time, holds hand with her husband Jonathan Owens before Owens throws out the first pitch before the start of a baseball game between the Cardinals and the Cubs on Friday, May 29, 2026, at Busch Stadium.
