Holliday’s grand slam sends Cardinals over White Sox

This was Holliday’s first home run since coming off the disabled list, and since the DH is in effect for the next two games of the series, one can only hope that Matt Holliday will continue crushing the ball like he did last night.

Doug joined ESPN Chicago in July 2010 and covers the Chicago White Sox for ESPNChicago.com and ESPN Radio 1000.

Matt Holliday slugged a grand slam homer and right hander Michael Wacha collected his 11th victory as the St. Louis Cardinals beat the Chicago White Sox 8-5 in interleague play on Tuesday at U.S. Cellular Field.Holliday launched a first-pitch shot to left in the fourth inning off White Sox left-hander Carlos Rodon for his sixth career grand slam. Saladino on Tuesday hit his second home run in as many games.

“I was just looking for a good pitch to hit with the bases loaded and hit it into the outfield”, Holliday said. The Cards are also just 2-6 in their last eight games overall versus the Sox. Cardinals number one prospect Stephen Piscotty making his debut. Now that he is initiated, and watching his demeanor on the field, I feel we will see a very solid player in our Cardinals future. All-Star shortstop Jhonny Peralta is 12-for-28 with two homers in his last six games, but the majors-best Cardinals have only a 2-4 mark to show for it. Michael Wacha will get the nod on Tuesday after originally-scheduled starter Carlos Martinez was pressed into duty in the marathon loss to the Mets. Before these two games and a makeup game on Thursday against Kansas City, the first-place Cardinals are 8-9 in interleague competition against the American League Central Division. He hit ninth against the White Sox.

Both bullpens would go on to hold the score at 8-5. Lance Lynn gets the ball, and he’s 7-5 with a 2.79 ERA and 111 strikeouts this season. WEATHER WATCH: It’s expected to be a clear day in the Chicago area with temperatures of 77 degrees Fahrenheit at game time. Right-hander Trevor Rosenthal, the fifth Cardinals pitcher, gave up two hits in the ninth but locked down the win when Jose Abreu, representing the potential tying run, grounded out to third to end the game.

The Chicago White Sox need a win after losing five of their last six games.