Home runs by Victor Scott II and Pedro Pagés powered the St Louis Cardinals to a 9-2 victory Sunday, March 30, completing a season-opening sweep of the Minnesota Twins.

The Twins scored first with one out in the first, when Byron Buxton sent a fly ball to shallow left field that landed for an RBI single. The Cardinals threatened in the first, only for Nolan Arenado to strike out with runners in scoring position, and Alec Burleson to pop out in foul territory. The Cardinals continued to torment Twins starter Bailey Ober, claiming a single and double in the second before Scott hit his jack to right-center field, all before recording an out.

The Cardinals repeated the recipe in the third, when another lead-off single and double was followed by Alec Burleson’s RBI double that scored both runners. Nolan Gorman’s single was followed by a three-run home run from Pagés. Ober faced three more batters before his day was done, allowing eight earned runs on eight hits and three walks while recording two punchouts. The Twins could only get one run back with a two-out solo shot in the fourth from Willi Castro, while Gorman would get his first home run of the year in the bottom of the seventh, a solo blast to center field.

Andre Pallante claimed the win for the Cardinals, going five innings and allowing just two runs on four hits and two walks while striking out three. Steven Matz recorded a four-inning save, allowing just one hit and striking out two.

The Cardinals continue interleague play when the Los Angeles Angels travel to St Louis on Monday for the start of a three-game series; first pitch at Busch Stadium is at 6:45 p.m.