PHOENIX • Cardinals backup catcher Tony Cruz belted his first regular-season homer since last Sept. 19 when he drilled a 2-0 Rubby De La Rosa fastball into the left-center-field seats to spark a two-run second inning for the Cardinals Thursday night at Chase Field.
Cruz had homered at San Francisco in the final game of the National League championship series last year. But this was his first in 80 at-bats this season.
Greg Garcia continued the rally by drawing De La Rosa's third walk and was safe at second after Carlos Martinez bunted and De La Rosa's throw to second was ruled too late.