JJ Wetherholt's monumental performance powers Cardinals to comeback win

St. Louis Cardinals second baseman JJ Wetherholt. Jeff Curry-Imagn Images

JJ Wetherholt's monumental performance powers Cardinals to comeback win

By Mike J. Asti | Last updated Apr 15, 2026 12:05 AM ET

St. Louis Cardinals rookie sensation JJ Wetherholt caught fire on Tuesday night, powering his team's come-from-behind win in extra innings.

Having cooled off following his hot start to the season, Wetherholt achieved his first multi-homer game of his MLB career as the Cardinals ended up beating the Cleveland Guardians 6-5 in 10 innings.

Both of Wetherholt's home runs were necessary for St. Louis, as he drove in exactly half of their runs in the game. He went 2-for-4 with the two homers and three RBI, upping his season average to .231.

JJ Wetherholt came up clutch with his second home run of the game

After crushing his first homer since his historic blast on Opening Day in the third, Wetherholt smacked a second in the eighth, a two-run shot that moved the Cardinals to within one run. His two-homer game marked his third multi-hit game as well.

MULTI-HOMER GAME FOR JJ WETHERHOLT! pic.twitter.com/MPOxaSdXq8
— St. Louis Cardinals (@Cardinals) April 15, 2026

Wetherholt's second home run made the score 5-4 an inning before St. Louis tied the game thanks to a Yohel Bozo double that scored Masyn Winn in the bottom of the ninth with the game on the line.

Nathan Church's sacrifice fly sent Thomas Saggese home in the 10th, ensuring Wetherholt can celebrate his monumental performance with his teammates.

JJ Wetherholt earned his opportunity after being dominant in the minors in 2025

In his first MLB season, Wetherholt who was called up ahead of Opening Day, now has three home runs, eight RBI and 15 hits in 17 games and 65 at-bats. He's registering a .338 OBP, a .385 slug and a .722 OPS, nothing too outrageous but reasonably solid for a rookie.

Prior to 2026, Wetherholt, St. Louis' first-round pick out of West Virginia in the 2024 MLB Draft, excelled in the minor leagues in 2025. He connected on 17 home runs, recorded 59 RBI and even stole 23 bases while posting a slash line of .306/.421/.510.

Even if he endures the usual peaks and valleys during his rookie campaign, Wetherholt is already showing that he has an "it" factor that could make him the new face of the Cardinals franchise for years to come.

Mike J. Asti

Mike Asti is an experienced media personality and journalist with a vast resume and skillset, most notably from time with TribLIVE Radio and WPXI-TV. Asti now serves as the Managing Editor of WV Sports Now, where he leads the coverage of WVU sports. He has also covered the Steelers, Penguins, Pirates and other teams within the Pittsburgh market

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