Willson Contreras’ four hits lead Red Sox to 9-3 win, series victory over Cardinals

Where would the Red Sox be without Willson Contreras?

Boston’s new slugger looked right at home in St. Louis, playing a major role in the offense erupting for 16 runs over the final two games of the series.

Contreras went 4-for-5 on Sunday, collecting three singles, a home run, and three RBI, to power the Red Sox to a 9-3 win over the Cardinals. With the victory, Boston improved to 6-9 and, more importantly, secured back-to-back series wins.

After going hitless in the opener, despite receiving a standing ovation from Cardinals fans, Contreras caught fire over the final two games of the series.

On Sunday, he wasted no time making an impact. With two outs in the first inning, Contreras launched a 94.6 mph sinker from Andre Pallante 411 feet to center field for a two-run homer, his third of the season.

“I mean, there’s a reason we got him, right?” Alex Cora told reporters postgame. “We needed a right-handed bat, and we got more than that. We got a guy that is playing great defense at first base, he controls the strike zone, he’s becoming a leader in the clubhouse. It’s fun to have him around.”

Contreras is now tied with Wilyer Abreu for the team lead in home runs. He’s accounted for three of Boston’s four homers over the last nine games, with Marcelo Mayer providing the other.

The Red Sox can’t rely solely on Contreras for power, though; others in the lineup will need to step up and start driving the ball out of the park.

“I feel OK,” Contreras said to NESN’s Jahmai Webster when asked how he feels at the plate. “When you believe in yourself and you know what you’re capable of doing … having that confidence in yourself, that trust in yourself, I think it’s the basis of everything.”

Boston broke the game open in the fourth inning. With the bases loaded, Jarren Duran ripped an 87.7 mph slider left over the outer half into left-center for a bases-clearing double, giving the Red Sox a 6-1 lead. Contreras followed with an RBI single to extend it to 7-1.

With much of the attention on Contreras, Duran’s double marked just his third extra-base hit of the season, all of them doubles.

The Red Sox also continue to get a spark from Trevor Story, who looks like a different hitter batting out of the No. 5 spot.

Story recorded a four-hit game, his first since July 4 of last season, and his first multi-hit performance of the year. Over his last seven games, he’s hitting .276 (8-for-29) with nine RBI, a stolen base, including a steal of home Friday night, and just six strikeouts.

He’s not completely out of the woods, as consistency has been an issue throughout his career, but the bat is showing signs of life, and the Red Sox are starting to benefit from it.

Boston finished with 12 hits, highlighted by a two-run double from Story in the ninth that provided late insurance. The added cushion allowed the Red Sox to stay away from closer Aroldis Chapman, keeping him fresh for Monday’s series opener against the Twins.

Batting second in the finale, Caleb Durbin scored twice, reached via a hit-by-pitch, and drew a walk in the fourth inning.

Ceddanne Rafaela also flashed his Gold Glove defense in center field. In the first inning, he made a diving grab to rob Cardinals rookie JJ Wetherholt, a play that initially looked trapped but was confirmed on replay. Rafaela was also hit by a pitch for the second straight game in the second inning.

Brayan Bello showed improvement, bouncing back from a pair of rough outings to start the season. The right-hander delivered 6 2/3 innings on Sunday, the longest outing by a Red Sox starter this year, allowing two earned runs on six hits while striking out two and walking two.

“Like I said yesterday, if we pitch we’re going to be in good shape,” Cora said.

Bello was tagged for a solo homer by Jordan Walker in the second inning, his MLB-leading seventh of the season, but didn’t let it spiral.

The right-hander settled in, retiring nine of the next 10 batters he faced. He looked like his usual weak-contact self, inducing 12 ground-ball outs over his outing.

“When I’m staying in the zone, this is the result that you get,” Bello told reporters via translator. “I feel like when I’m executing all of my pitches, being aggressive in the zone, this is what happens.”

Bello exited after he recorded the first two outs in the seventh, his pitch count at 94 (61 strikes). St. Louis native Danny Coulombe finished the inning, and Zack Kelly pitched the remainder.

Overall, St. Louis collected seven hits, two walks, and struck out four times. They were 1-for-4 with runners in scoring position and stranded five.

Boston will fly to Minneapolis on Sunday night to begin a three-game series with the Twins on Monday night. The Sox will look to secure their third straight series win and bring much-needed momentum back to Boston before starting a four-game series with the Tigers next Friday. 

Pitching Probables — Red Sox at Twins (Target Field)

Monday, 7:40 p.m. ET

LHP Garrett Crochet (2-1, 3.12 ERA) vs. RHP Bailey Ober (1-0, 5.27 ERA)

Tuesday, 7:40 p.m. ET

RHP Sonny Gray (2-0, 2.76 ERA) vs. RHP Mick Abel (0-2, 6.08 ERA)

Wednesday, 1:40 p.m. ET

LHP Connelly Early (0-0, 2.63 ERA) vs. RHP Simeon Woods Richardson (0-2, 4.60 ERA)