(Photo credit: Jeff Curry-Imagn Images)

The St. Louis Cardinals homered for the first time this week, going deep three times in the opener Friday of their three-game series against the Chicago Cubs.

The Cardinals will look to continue to flex their muscles when they vie for a series win over the Cubs on Saturday night in St. Louis.

Nelson Velazquez celebrated his call-up from Triple-A Memphis by belting a three-run homer in the first inning of Friday's 6-5 St. Louis victory. Hearing the roar of the crowd at Busch Stadium and receiving a curtain call put a smile on the face of Velazquez, who acknowledged being down after failing to make the Cardinals' Opening Day roster.

'It took me a little bit (to regroup), but I got to reset myself and I started doing everything that I needed to do to be on the field,' Velazquez said. 'So I just did everything I could do. I got to talk to my parents and my friends (about his disappointment), and I got some good comments back that helped me improve my game.'

Thomas Saggese and Ivan Herrera each launched a solo shot on Friday for the Cardinals, who snapped a season-high-tying four-game losing streak. The power display was welcome after the team mustered just two runs over its previous three games.

In addition to Velazquez, St. Louis also promoted prospect Jimmy Crooks from Memphis and optioned fellow catcher Yohel Pozo and infielder Cesar Prieto to the Triple-A club.

'Crooks will have a decent amount of catching. He's definitely here to play,' Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol said.

St. Louis will turn to Kyle Leahy (5-3, 4.44 ERA) to make the start Saturday against fellow right-hander Ben Brown (1-2, 2.01) of Chicago, which has lost 11 of its past 13 games.

Leahy won three of his previous four starts before unraveling in the fifth inning in his last outing. He surrendered two homers and five runs total in a no-decision against the Cincinnati Reds last Saturday. The Cardinals lost 7-6 in 11 innings.

Leahy, 28, has a 3.55 ERA without a decision in nine career appearances (one start) vs. the Cubs.

Brown will make his 17th appearance and fifth start of the season. He allowed one run on four hits in a season-high six innings of a no-decision against the Pittsburgh Pirates on Monday. The Cubs lost 2-1.

'It was another really positive start by Ben,' manager Craig Counsell said. 'He pitched great. I thought his stuff was great. He continues to mix in more pitches. Continues to be really good with off-speed. His breaking ball was really good. He gave us what we needed.'

Brown, 26, struggled mightily in his lone career appearance against St. Louis last season. He permitted eight runs on nine hits -- including four homers -- in five innings of an 8-2 loss.

Speaking of homers, Ian Happ continued his barrage by going deep for the third straight game on Friday. He belted a three-run shot in the series opener to improve to 7-for-15 with 10 RBIs in his last three games.

Michael Busch had three hits in the series opener, giving him eight over his last six games.

--Field Level Media