CHICAGO — Willson Contreras made sure Tuesday night was one to remember—both for himself and the St. Louis Cardinals.
In the fifth inning of the Cardinals’ 12-2 rout of the Chicago White Sox, Willson Contreras saw an opportunity and pounced. With Alec Burleson taking off for second base after Nolan Arenado drew a walk, White Sox catcher Edgar Quero made the unnecessary throw to second. That was all Contreras needed.
He broke for home, beat the return throw with a slick swim move, and—after a short review—was confirmed safe. It was the first stolen base of home in his 10-year career, and the exclamation point on a night where everything clicked for St. Louis.
“There’s always a first time for everything,” Contreras said. “I don’t think they realized I was going to go home… It was just one of those plays where you flip the coin, and whatever happens is going to happen.”
Turns out, it was a winning flip.
Cardinals Blow the Doors Off the White Sox
Contreras’ daring steal came just three innings after the Cardinals erupted for five runs in the second, flipping an early 1-0 deficit into a lead they’d never surrender. After walking, Contreras went first to third on a Burleson single—and then, as Quero’s throw to second barely cleared the mound, Contreras was off.
Chase Meidroth cut off the throw and whipped it back to the plate, but Contreras’ swimming, body-contorting slide was picture perfect. He signaled for a challenge immediately after being called out—and he was right.
“I knew I was safe. He never touched me,” Contreras said. “In my mind, [it] was just go to home plate after I saw the throw.”
Marmol Caught Off Guard—in the Best Way
“Yeah, I was surprised,” manager Oliver Marmol admitted. “Once [Arenado] got the ball four call, I didn’t expect the throw down. We were able to add one and then continue to go downhill.”
Downhill is putting it lightly.
Video of Contreras stealing home:
St. Louis scored in each of the final five innings, finishing with 12 runs and contributions from top to bottom. The spark came at the perfect time—the Cardinals had lost eight of their last 12 games, playing 12 games in 11 days before rolling into Chicago.
They needed a breakout. They got one.
Full Team Effort: Bats, Arms, and Hustle
Brendan Donovan, struggling at the leadoff spot recently, stayed in the top slot—and responded with a four-hit night, including a double and RBI single. It was the fifth four-hit game of his career.
“It’s good to see him up there getting on several times and letting the other guys do their jobs,” Marmol said. “I liked our approach today, I really did.”
Matthew Liberatore, coming off two rocky starts, settled in and delivered his eighth quality start of the season. He allowed just two runs over six innings, striking out four and leaning on his offense to relax and attack.
“Tonight is definitely the most synced up I’ve felt in my last few starts,” Liberatore said. “The offense made it easy. I didn’t have to be perfect.”
Iván Herrera plated four runs. Burleson kept his hot streak rolling with a three-hit game, including his sixth homer of the season. And eight different Cardinals crossed home plate—a complete performance when they needed it most.
And Then, There Was Willson Contreras
His hustle. His instincts. And his fire.
“I love the way he plays,” Liberatore said. “He plays like his hair is on fire, and it’s infectious.”
It’s the kind of play that turns momentum—and maybe even the season. For now, the Cardinals have their swagger back. And their catcher? He’s stealing headlines… and home.
