Here is the latest Mid-America sports news from The Associated Press

CHICAGO (AP) — Paul Goldschmidt and Tyler O’Neill homered, and St. Louis beat the Chicago White Sox 6-3 for a doubleheader sweep in the Cardinals’ long-awaited return from a coronavirus outbreak. Playing for the first time since July 29, St. Louis used solid performances by Dexter Fowler and Adam Wainwright to post a 5-1 victory in Game 1. Then it battered Chicago’s bullpen in the second seven-inning game — part of shortened doubleheaders in the pandemic-delayed season. The reigning NL Central champions improved to 4-3 with the sweep. Every other team in the majors had played at least 13 games coming into the day.

CHICAGO (AP) — The St. Louis Cardinals are back. They have returned to the field for the first time in 17 days after their season was derailed by a coronavirus outbreak. The reigning NL Central champions played a doubleheader against the Chicago White Sox, kicking off an extended stay in the Windy City and a busy finish to the pandemic-shortened season. Manager Mike Shildt says it’s easy to complain and he recognizes the challenges, “But we accept them and we move forward.”

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Whit Merrifield had three hits, including a three-run homer, to back Danny Duffy’s strong start as the Kansas City Royals came back to beat the Minnesota Twins 4-2 and split Saturday’s doubleheader. Duffy (1-2) allowed two runs – one earned – on just two hits in five innings. José Berríos (1-3) surrendered four runs in four innings for Minnesota. Nelson Cruz homered in both games of and now has 407 career home runs, tying Duke Snider for 56th on the all-time list. The Twins won Saturday’s first game 4-2.

UNDATED (AP) — The last two games of this weekend’s series between Cincinnati and Pittsburgh were called off after a Reds player tested positive for COVID-19. Major League Baseball is awaiting further testing. The Reds are the third team to have a game postponed because someone on their roster tested positive, joining the Marlins and Cardinals. It’s the second time a Reds player has tested positive during the season.

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. (AP) — The Portland Trail Blazers have advanced to the NBA playoffs by winning their play-in series against the Memphis Grizzlies. CJ McCollum scored 14 of his 29 points in the fourth quarter, including a pair of big jumpers to lead the Blazers past the Grizzlies, 126-122. Damian Lillard dropped in 31 points for the Trail Blazers, who won their last four games in down-to-the-wire finishes.