SAN DIEGO — Matt Wieters had been hitless in 17 at-bats against left-handers this season before his luck changed with one mighty swing.

The switch-hitting catcher hit a two-run homer with two outs in the 11th inning, and the St. Louis Cardinals overcame a 3-0 deficit to beat the San Diego Padres 5-3 Sunday and snap a five-game losing streak.

Wieters’ shot off lefty Brad Wieck (0-1) reached the balcony on the fourth level of the Western Metal Supply Co. Building in the left-field corner at Petco Park. It was his fourth and came with Kolten Wong aboard on an infield single.

Wieters was well aware of his numbers against lefties.

“It’s easy, when you don’t have any,” he said. “It was a grind earlier in the year for numerous reasons batting right-handed. It was good to get that one. Really, the last four or five at-bats have been better. I had a stretch of six or seven at-bats that were really poor quality at-bats against left-handed pitching, which, when you’re not seeing a lot of lefties, can add up on you.”

The Cardinals hadn’t mustered much offense in the first two games of the series, particularly in a 12-2 loss Saturday night.

“What feels good about it besides the end result was that it was a total team effort,” manager Mike Shildt said. “That’s the definition of team right there — hard-fought, embracing competition, fought the whole way and got it done. Brought it home.”

Manny Machado hit a two-run home run in the fourth, giving the Padres three players with at least 20, and Eric Hosmer had three hits. San Diego had its four-game winning streak snapped.

Carlos Martinez (2-0) pitched 2 2/3 innings of relief for the win and Dominic Leone got the final two outs for his first save.

The Cardinals had erased a 3-0 deficit on Yairo Munoz’s two-run double in the sixth and an unearned run in the eighth after Machado and Franmil Reyes each committed an error.

The Padres loaded the bases on three straight walks with one out in the eighth and failed to score after Manuel Margot hit into a double play. Margot originally was called safe, but it was overturned after the Cardinals challenged.

“This one will be bitter all night long, probably,” manager Andy Green said. “We gave ourselves a lot of opportunities to win a baseball game and just didn’t come through. They came through.”

Machado joined Reyes and Hunter Renfroe, who each have 24 homers, among Padres players with at least 20.

The $300 million slugger has three homers in two games and 10 in his last 15. His two-run shot came off one-time Padres pitcher Miles Mikolas with one out in the first and Hosmer aboard on a double.

“We don’t depend on home runs,” Machado said. “We score runs different ways, stealing bases, being aggressive on the base paths. … Home runs just come. You don’t go out there swinging for home runs.”

Hosmer’s third straight hit, a two-out double to right-center in the fifth, brought in speedy rookie Fernando Tatis Jr. from first base.

Hosmer had four hits in Saturday night’s 12-2 win, when Machado and Reyes each had two homers, including on consecutive pitches in the second inning. Hosmer has 15 hits in his last seven games.

Left-hander Joey Lucchesi was cruising before loading the bases on two walks and a single with one out in the sixth and making way for Luis Perdomo. Tyler O’Neill struck out before Munoz hit a two-run double. Austin Hedges threw out Munoz to end the inning, a call that was upheld after the Cardinals challenged.

The Cardinals had runners on first and second with one out in the seventh before Craig Stammen came on and struck out rookie Tommy Edman and got Jose Martinez to ground out to end the threat.

St. Louis tied it in the eighth. Paul Goldschmidt beat out an infield single and took second on Machado’s throwing error, advanced on O’Neill’s single to right and then scored when Reyes booted the ball for an error.

“It just happens,” Machado said. “I should have probably held it. He is a pretty good, above-average runner. It’s just one of those plays that if I would have made a better throw I would have got him out. It just tailed away on us and it led to that inning to tie up the ballgame. That’s a tough error on me.”

UP NEXT

Cardinals: RHP Jack Flaherty (4-5, 4.75) is scheduled to start Tuesday night in the opener of a three-game series at Seattle.

Padres: Rookie LHP Logan Allen (2-0, 1.38) looks to win his third straight start in the opener of a three-game series against the San Francisco Giants, who will counter with RHP Jeff Samardzija (4-7, 4.52).

— Associated Press —

ST. LOUIS — Beau Taylor and Matt Chapman homered, and Daniel Mengden pitched six scoreless innings to lead the Oakland Athletics to a 2-0 win over the St. Louis Cardinals on Wednesday night.

Mengden (2-1) gave up four hits and struck out five for his first win since May 18 at Detroit. He took the starting rotation spot of Frankie Montas, who was suspended 80 games June 21 for testing positive for a performance-enhancing substance.

Yusmeiro Petit pitched the seventh, Joakim Soria the eighth and Liam Hendriks got the last three outs for his second save in four chances. Hendriks has not allowed a run in 23 of his last 25 appearances.

Oakland got its fifth shutout of the season — first on the road — and first since May 7 against Cincinnati.

Adam Wainwright (5-7) allowed two runs and seven hits in 6 2/3 innings with nine strikeouts.

St. Louis was shutout for the sixth time this season, and the third time in its last 14 games.

Taylor homered into the Cardinals’ bullpen in right-center field in the fourth inning. It was his second home run in seven starts.

Chapman chased Wainwright from the game when he got his team-leading 19th homer into the Athletics’ bullpen in left-center.

NUMERO UNO

Soria extended his record for most games by a Mexican-born pitcher to 675 a night after he passed Dennys Reyes to move into sole possession of the top spot. The team celebrated his accomplishment pregame.

LORD STANLEY IN THE HOUSE

The Stanley Cup Champion St. Louis Blues were honored in a pregame ceremony. Head coach Craig Berube and assistants Sean Ferrell, Mike Van Ryn and Steve Ott were on hand. Alex Pietrangelo, Pat Maroon, and Ryan O’Reilly paraded around the field with the Stanley Cup and visited with the Cardinals before the game.

BUSCH STADIUM ICON

Wainwright’s start was the 300th of his career and his 184th game at the current Busch Stadium to tie Trevor Rosenthal for the stadium appearance record.

HICKS ON THE MEND

Cardinals RHP Jordan Hicks underwent successful Tommy John surgery to repair his torn ulnar collateral ligament. Cardinals general manager Michael Girsch said it is too early to put a specific timetable on Hicks’ return. Hicks was 2-2 with a 3.14 ERA and a team-leading 14 saves in 29 appearances this season.

TRAINER’S ROOM

Athletics: RHP J.B. Wendelken was optioned to Triple-A Las Vegas after earning his first career win Tuesday night to make room for Mengden.

Cardinals: RHP Mike Mayers (right lat strain) and Ryan Helsley (right shoulder impingement) each made rehabilitation appearances for Triple-A Memphis. Mayers tossed a scoreless inning, and Helsley did not record an out allowing three walks and one hit against Nashville.

UP NEXT

Athletics: RHP Tanner Anderson (0-2, 4.30) will make his fourth career start as he opposes RHP Griffin Canning when Oakland opens a four-game series at the Los Angeles Angels on Thursday night.

Cardinals: Have not announced a starting pitcher as they face the San Diego Padres and LHP Eric Lauer (5-7, 4.32) Friday night to open a nine-game road trip.

— Associated Press —

ST. LOUIS — After a tough eight-game stretch, Chad Pinder is starting to find his hitting stroke.

Pinder and Marcus Semien homered in a six-run fifth inning, and the Oakland Athletics rallied to beat the St. Louis Cardinals 7-3 Tuesday night.

Pinder had three hits Sunday to end a 3-for-23 slump, and kept it going against the Cardinals.

“I was just trying to keep the momentum, not trying to do too much,” Pinder said. “I just tried to keep that same approach especially during batting practice today.”

Matt Olson also went deep to help Oakland win for the sixth time in eight games.

Tha A’s, who had totaled nine runs over their last three games, overcame a 3-1 deficit with the big fifth inning to knock out Cardinals starter Jack Flaherty (4-5).

“He had inconsistent command,” St. Louis manager Mike Shildt about Flaherty. “A couple of homers and balls that found holes and balls that were hit hard and it become a big inning.”

Josh Phegley opened the inning with a ground-rule double, and Pinder homered to left to tie the score.

“Honestly I went up with the mindset to get a pitch just to move (the runner) over to third, not to do too much,” Pinder said. “The first pitch he threw me was a four-seamer and it had a little cut and I was trying to get my timing there and he ended up throwing pretty much the same exact pitch the next pitch and I was able to put a good swing on it. ”

Semien followed with his shot to center to put Oakland ahead 4-3. The A’s scored three more runs on three singles — including Stephen Piscotty’s run-scoring hit — and pinch-hitter Khris Davis’ two-run double off reliever John Brebbia.

“I wasn’t able to execute,” Flaherty said. “The ball to Pinder, he just put a good swing on it. It got Semien down 0-2 and threw a really bad pitch. I battled with Piscotty and he battled and put a good swing on it. You make mistakes and they found holes.”

Flaherty gave up a season-high seven runs and nine hits and a walk in 4 2/3 innings. He gave up three homers to raise his total to nine allowed in five winless June starts. Overall, Flaherty has given up 18 homers in 16 starts this season.

Flaherty has given up five leads of two or more runs this season.

J.B. Wendelken (1-1) picked up his first MLB victory after spending time with Oakland in parts of three seasons. He got the final two outs of the fourth inning and was lifted for a pinch-hitter in the bottom of the fifth.

“(I’m) super excited,” Wendelken said. “You get a little jittery every now and then but when you get a win like that it means a lot because the boys stepped up when we were down and that’s all you could ask for right there. ”

The Athletics went ahead 1-0 in the second when Olson led off with a home run to left field.

The Cardinals went ahead with a three-run second. Matt Carpenter tripled with two outs, driving in Yadier Molina and Kolten Wong. He hit a deep fly to center and Ramon Laureano fell down after turning the wrong way on the ball. It landed just in front of the wall and Laureano for Carpenter’s second triple this season. He scored on a double by Paul DeJong for a 3-1 lead.

Oakland’s Chris Bassitt was lifted for a reliever after 3 1/3 innings. It was his shortest stint in his 12 starts this season. He allowed three runs and four hits with four walks.

FOUL BALL

Cardinals RF Jose Martinez fouled off eight consecutive pitches before striking out in a 12-pitch at-bat to end the first inning with two men on base. Bassitt made 34 pitches in the inning.

ROSTER MOVES

The Cardinals recalled RHP Daniel Ponce de Leon and RHP Dominic Leone from Triple-A Memphis on Tuesday. LHP Genesis Cabrera was optioned to the Redbirds.

TRAINER’S ROOM

Athletics: LHP Sean Manaea (shoulder) has been shut down with no timetable on his return. He has soreness on his right side. He threw 60 pitches in a simulated game last Thursday. … C Chris Herrmann (right knee) will catch back-to-back games in a rehab assignment in Las Vegas before he will be activated from the injured list.

Cardinals: RHP Jordan Hicks (right elbow) has been placed on the 10-day Injured List, retroactive to June 23. … RHP Alex Reyes (strained pectoral muscle) will miss two to three starts at Triple-A Memphis. The oft-injured Reyes has a 7.39 ERA in 28 innings for the Redbirds this season.

UP NEXT

Athletics: RHP Daniel Mengden (1-1, 5.09) is being recalled from Triple-A Las Vegas for his second stint with the A’s this season.

Cardinals: RHP Adam Wainwright (5-6, 4.50) will be making his third career start against Oakland. He won the previous two, going eight innings or more in each game.

— Associated Press —

ST. LOUIS — In a weekend full of emotional moments, Los Angeles slugger Albert Pujols saved the best for last.

Pujols capped off a stirring three-day return to St. Louis by exchanging jerseys with long-time friend and Cardinals catcher Yadier Molina following the Angels’ 6-4 win on Sunday.

Pujols was cheered throughout his first series in St. Louis since leaving the club in free agency after the 2011 season. The former Cardinal got standing ovations before each plate appearance throughout the weekend and a curtain call after popping out in his final at-bat.

“This is probably one of the best moments of my career,” Pujols said. “I’m going to put it up there with the two World Series championships.”

Pujols met with Molina, his long-time friend, after the game. The two autographed and then exchanged jerseys on the field.

“That’s something we felt from our hearts that we should do,” Pujols said. “It’s something that’s going to be in my trophy case. To see the man that he has become, the leader, the champion. I can close my eyes right now and remember him, this little boy walking into Cardinals’ camp. The man that he has become is unbelievable.”

Los Angeles manager Brad Ausmus was overwhelmed by the support for Pujols over the three days.

“This is one of the most tremendous things I’ve seen in the game of baseball, the way he was treated as a visiting player,” Ausmus said. “I’ve always known how great the St. Louis fans are — but this was something special.”

St. Louis manager Mike Shildt was also impressed with the crowd’s love for Pujols.

“A special tribute to a special man,” Shildt said.

The 39-year-old Pujols was 4 for 11 over the three-game set, including a home run during a 4-2 loss Saturday. He spent 11 years in St. Louis and won three MVP awards and two World Series (2006, 2011) with the Cardinals.

After Pujols popped out with the bases loaded in the top of the ninth, fans chanted his name as he returned to first base the next half-inning. It may have been his final chance to play in front of his old fan base.

Tommy La Stella and David Fletcher drove in two runs apiece, and Tyler Skaggs tossed five shutout innings for the Angels. Los Angeles snapped a three-game losing streak and finished a long road trip with a 6-5 mark.

“He was pounding the strike zone and the curveball was good,” Ausmus said of Skaggs.

The Cardinals rallied for four runs with two outs in the ninth, sparked by Jose Martinez’s solo homer. Angels closer Hansel Robles came on to get the final out in a non-save situation.

La Stella had run-scoring hits in the second and sixth innings to back a strong effort from Skaggs and five other relievers.

Skaggs (7-6) allowed four hits over five scoreless innings. He struck out three and did not walk a batter.

“He was pounding the strike zone and the curveball was good,” Ausmus said.

St. Louis starter Miles Mikolas (5-8) gave up one run and seven hits over five innings. He struck out four and walked two.

The Cardinals struggled with runners in scoring position over the first eight innings before coming up big in the ninth.

“We didn’t score early, the runs that we needed, and that’s why we lost,” St. Louis outfielder Marcell Ozuna said.

REYES SUFFERS SETBACK

St. Louis RHP Alex Reyes was removed in the second inning of a start for Triple-A Memphis on Sunday with right pectoral discomfort. He will be re-evaluated Monday.

Reyes missed all of 2017 and most of 2018 after undergoing elbow surgery. He made four appearances on the major league level this season with an 0-1 record and 15.00 ERA.

TRAINER’S ROOM

Cardinals: RHP Jordan Hicks will be out two to three days after leaving Saturday’s game with right triceps tendinitis. “I’m really confident from the doctors and the medical team that it’s nothing related to anything structural,” St. Louis manager Mike Shildt said.

UP NEXT

Angels: LHP Andrew Heaney (0-1, 5.68) will face Cincinnati RHP Tyler Mahle (2-7, 4.17) on Tuesday in the first of a two-game series, which will kick off a six-game homestand. Heaney is making his sixth start of the season after missing the first 51 games with left elbow inflammation.

Cardinals: RHP Jack Flaherty (4-4, 4.24) will take on Oakland RHP Chris Bassitt (4-3, 3.64) in the first of a two-game set on Tuesday.

— Associated Press —

ST. LOUIS — Albert Pujols took a curtain call for his adoring fans at Busch Stadium after homering against the Cardinals, but Marcell Ozuna connected to lead Dakota Hudson and St. Louis over the Los Angeles Angels 4-2 on Saturday.

Pujols hit his 13th home run, a solo drive in the seventh inning. He got a standing ovation as he rounded the bases and the cheers grew louder until Pujols emerged from the dugout and tipped his hat to the sellout crowd.

Pujols has 646 career homers, including 445 in his 11 seasons with the Cardinals. His 111 home runs at the new Busch Stadium are the most by anyone.

The three-time NL MVP who helped the Cardinals win two World Series championships returned to the ballpark on Friday night for the first time since helping St. Louis take the 2011 title. Pujols signed with the Angels after that season, and they hadn’t played an interleague game at Busch until this weekend.

Pujols was showered with ovations while hitting a single in two at-bats and drawing a walk Friday night. He went 1 for 4 in this loss, the third in a row for the Angels.

Ozuna hit his team-leading 20th homer of the season off Felix Pena in the sixth inning to make it 4-0 lead. Ozuna homered for the second straight day.

Hudson (6-3) gave up one run on five hits in a season-high 112-pitch stint. He struck out six and walked one. He has allowed one earned run or less in four of his last five starts.

Paul Goldschmidt had two hits for St. Louis, which has won five of seven.

Justin Upton also homered for the Angels, a solo shot in the eighth. Pena (5-2) started the third inning in relief of opener Noe Ramirez.

St. Louis broke a scoreless tie with two runs in the fifth on a throwing error. Yadier Molina singled and Kolten Wong walked before Hudson set down a bunt that Pena threw wildly to third.

St. Louis closer Jordan Hicks left the game with two outs in the ninth. Tyler Webb picked up his first save by retiring Jonathan Lucroy on a grounder to end the game.

The Cardinals improved to 185-177 in interleague play, the best among NL teams.

TRAINERS’ ROOM

Angels: RHP Trevor Cahill (right elbow inflammation) is almost ready to return to the active roster. Manager Brad Ausmus would not commit to whether he will return to the starting rotation or pitch out of the bullpen.

Cardinals: INF Jedd Gyorko will undergo a minor arthroscopic procedure on his right wrist on Monday. Cardinals manager Mike Shildt says there is no structural damage and that Gyorko’s recovery from his wrist surgery should coincide with his return from his calf injury that has kept him on the injured list since June 8.

UP NEXT

St. Louis RHP Miles Mikolas (5-7, 4.48) will face LHP Tyler Skaggs (6-6, 4.61) in the finale of the three-game set on Sunday night. Mikolas tossed six scoreless innings in a 5-0 win over Miami on Monday. Skaggs, who is looking to win his third successive start, leads the Angles in wins (6) and strikeouts (70).

— Associated Press —

ST. LOUIS — Albert Pujols drew so many cheers in his return to St. Louis, he even apologized to Cardinals pitcher Michael Wacha.

Pujols was showered with ovations in his long-awaited return to Busch Stadium, but Marcell Ozuna spoiled the homecoming with a home run that helped the Cardinals beat the Los Angeles Angels 5-1 on Friday night.

“They showed you why they are the best fans in baseball,” Pujols said.

Pujols spent the first 11 years of his All-Star career with the Cardinals, helped them win the 2011 World Series and then signed with Angels as a free agent. Due to inconsistent interleague scheduling, this was the first time the Angels have visited St. Louis since Pujols left.

The slugger went 1 for 2 with a walk before being pulled for a pinch-runner.

Pujols received a standing ovation from the sellout crowd of 48,423 every time he stepped to the plate, including one in the first inning that lasted over a minute. He embraced Cardinals catcher Yadier Molina before batting, prompting the fans to get even louder.

“It’s pretty amazing. I’m just glad to be able to play here for 11 years and have the great memories. I was pretty close from having a couple of tears there I think, especially when I hugged Yadi and we had that little moment to ourselves.”

In the fourth, Wacha heard a smattering of boos after walking Pujols on four straight pitches to lead off the inning. Pujols got more cheers heading to the dugout after being erased on a forceout.

“He’s a dangerous hitter, I’m not trying to leave anything over the middle there,” Wacha said. “Ended up walking him and I guess the crowd didn’t like it too much,” Wacha said.

Wacha singled in the fifth. Pujols, playing first base, told Wacha he was sorry the ovations were messing with his routine.

“He said don’t worry about it, you deserve it,” Pujols said.

Said Wacha: “He probably deserved about five more minutes of that ovation.”

It was a rather eventful evening at the park in several ways.

In the bottom of the first with Matt Carpenter batting, the stadium’s alarm system was falsely activated, prompting a brief delay and sending a scattering of fans to the concourse.

In the fourth, Cardinals first baseman Paul Goldschmidt hammered a foul fall that went completely out of the stadium.

Cardinals fans chanted “Let’s go, Albert” during Pujols’ at-bat in the seventh and he got a cheer as he beat out an infield single to lead off the frame. He drew a final standing ovation after being lifted for pinch-runner Wilfredo Tovar two batters later.

“I think Yadi did a nice job of giving the fans an opportunity to cheer Albert each time he came to the plate,” Angels manager Brad Ausmus said. “Having played here many times and seeing how Cardinals fans react to even visiting players, I fully expected that to happen.”

Ozuna’s solo homer in the sixth broke a 1-1 tie. Ozuna also had RBI singles in the fourth and seventh.

Wacha (5-3) settled in after giving up an RBI double to Justin Upton in the first inning. He went six innings, struck out four, walked one and retired the final eight batters he faced.

Griffin Canning (2-4) sent down the first nine batters he faced before running into control issues in the fourth. He walked Carpenter and Goldschmidt and balked both into scoring position ahead of Ozuna’s single.

Despite the loss, Friday’s game will always mean something to Pujols.

“It was an incredible moment tonight and it’s something that I’m going to put it right up there with the accomplishment of winning the World Series twice here,” Pujols said. “It was a pretty special night.”

FACES IN THE CROWD

St. Louis natives Pat Maroon and Blaine Gabbert were at the game. Maroon helped lead the Blues to the Stanley Cup championship and Gabbert is a quarterback on the Tampa Bay roster.

HOT TICKET

The crowd was the eighth sellout of the season for the Cardinals and the second largest in Busch Stadium III history.

ROSTER MOVES

Angels: Recalled RHP Jake Jewell and RHP Luke Bard and optioned LHP Jose Suarez and RHP Taylor Cole to Triple-A Salt Lake.

Cardinals: Activated INF Yairo Munoz from the paternity list and optioned 1B/OF Rangel Ravelo to Triple-A Memphis.

UP NEXT

Angels: RHP Felix Pena (5-1, 4.70 ERA) will try to build on a career-high five straight winning decisions in the second game of the series in St. Louis on Saturday. He is 0-0 with a 4.92 ERA in three career appearances, all in relief, against the Cardinals.

Cardinals: RHP Dakota Hudson (5-3, 3.55 ERA) has seven straight quality starts and hasn’t given up a homer in 53 innings. He has never faced the Angels.

— Associated Press —

ST. LOUIS — JT Riddle hit a two-run homer in the 11th inning, Zac Gallen was effective in his major league debut and the Miami Marlins beat the St. Louis Cardinals 7-6 on Thursday night.

Brian Anderson also went deep and drove in two runs for the Marlins, who earned a split of the four-game series.

Rookie infielder Tommy Edman homered for the Cardinals, who rallied from 4-1 and 5-3 deficits.

Riddle connected off Andrew Miller (3-3) with one out for a 7-5 lead.

Jarlin Garcia (1-0) got the win with two innings of relief, and Sergio Romo closed for his 13th save in 14 chances. He gave up a two-out RBI double to Yadier Molina, but ended the game by picking off pitcher Jack Flaherty at second base. Flaherty was pinch-running for Molina.

Edman tied it 5-all with a two-run homer off Tayron Guerrero in the eighth. It was Edman’s first career round-tripper and it came in his 10th at-bat.

Gallen gave up one run and five hits in five innings. He struck out six and walked two.

St. Louis starter Adam Wainwright allowed three runs and six hits over 5 1/3 innings in his return from the injured list. The veteran right-hander, who strained his left hamstring running the bases June 9, struck out six and walked one.

Anderson hit a solo homer off John Brebbia in the eighth to push Miami’s lead to 5-3. It was his ninth of the season. Anderson also broke a 1-all tie with an RBI double off the glove of third baseman Matt Carpenter in the sixth.

Miguel Rojas gave the Marlins a 4-1 advantage when he knocked in a run with an infield single in the seventh.

St. Louis trimmed the deficit to 4-3 in the bottom half when Paul Goldschmidt hit an RBI double and scored on Marcell Ozuna’s single.

— Associated Press —

ST. LOUIS — Paul Goldschmidt hit a solo home run with two outs in the bottom of the 11th inning to give the St. Louis Cardinals a 2-1 victory over the Miami Marlins on Wednesday night.

Dexter Fowler had an RBI single in the sixth for the Cardinals, who won for the seventh time in 11 games. Miguel Rojas tied it with a single in the eighth off reliever Carlos Martinez.

After beginning the game on the bench, Goldschmidt entered at first base in the ninth. Two innings later, he launched a 453-foot drive on a changeup from Adam Conley (1-7) for his fifth career walk-off home run.

St. Louis loaded the bases with none out in the 10th, but Sergio Romo escaped for Miami. He struck out Harrison Bader and got Marcell Ozuna to ground into an 8-4-3 double play started by center fielder JT Riddle as part of a five-man infield.

Cardinals starter Daniel Ponce de Leon gave up two hits over six shutout innings and was in line to earn his first major league win before Rojas’ single tied it.

Ponce de Leon struck out six and walked one in the longest of his three starts this season. It was the first time the right-hander did not allow a run in nine career starts.

John Gant (7-0) got the win with a perfect inning.

Miami has lost three of four.

Marlins right-hander Trevor Richards, from Aviston, Illinois — 40 miles east of St. Louis — went 5 2/3 innings before leaving after 108 pitches. He tied a season high with eight strikeouts and gave up three hits while walking three.

Richards pitched around a pair of walks in the third, but couldn’t get out of more trouble in the sixth. Fowler’s single, the third hit of the inning, snapped a 14-inning scoreless drought for the Cardinals and ended Richards’ night as he left to boisterous applause from his hometown cheering section.

ON THE BOARD

Rangel Ravelo started in Goldschmidt’s spot at first base and got his first major league hit in the sixth.

BIG FISH

Don Mattingly managed his 556th game on the Marlins bench, passing Fredi Gonzalez for most in franchise history.

ROSTER MOVES

Miami acquired OF Cesar Puello from the Angels for cash, and utilityman Rosell Herrera was designated for assignment. Puello grounded out as a pinch-hitter in the eighth.

TRAINER’S ROOM

Marlins: RHP Pablo Lopez (right shoulder strain) was placed on the 10-day injured list and LHP Jose Quijada was recalled from Triple-A New Orleans. … 1B Garrett Cooper was a late scratch with a sore left triceps and was replaced in the lineup by Yadiel Rivera.

Cardinals: INF Yairo Munoz is expected to be activated from paternity leave Thursday.

UP NEXT

Marlins: Zac Gallen makes his major league debut Thursday night in St. Louis against his former organization. The 23-year-old righty was 9-1 with a 1.77 ERA at Triple-A New Orleans, striking out 112 in 91 1/3 innings. He was traded by the Cardinals to Miami in the deal for Ozuna after the 2017 season.

Cardinals: Plan to reinstate veteran right-hander Adam Wainwright (5-6, 4.46 ERA) from the injured list in the finale of a four-game series. Wainwright strained his left hamstring running the bases June 9. He has two shutouts in 11 career starts against Miami.

— Associated Press —

ST. LOUIS — In his first two starts, Jordan Yamamoto has done things that have been accomplished once, or not at all, in the past century.

It’s been a dream debut for the 23-year-old rookie, who was acquired by the Marlins in the Christian Yelich trade and summoned from Double-A to the majors earlier this month.

Yamamoto dazzled again on Tuesday night, matching his first career start by pitching seven scoreless innings against St. Louis, and Miami beat the Cardinals 6-0.

Yamamoto (2-0) allowed two hits, struck out seven and walked two. He gave up three hits in seven innings in his major league debut, on June 12 in Miami against the Cardinals.

“Definitely, I haven’t imagined this,” Yamamoto said. “It’s one of those things a kid can only dream of and it just worked out perfectly in my favor.”

Yamamoto became only the second starting pitcher since 1893 to hold the same team scoreless in his first two outings, joining Atlanta’s Larry McWilliams, who did it in 1978 against the Mets.

He’s also the first pitcher since Pittsburgh’s Nick Maddox in 1907 to beat the Cardinals twice in a seven-day span when the first game was his debut.

“No, I have not heard of him,” Yamomoto said. “I’m happy to be in his company.”

Relievers Tayron Guerrero and Sergio Romo completed the two-hitter. The Cardinals were shut out for the fifth time this season and second time by Miami.

“Obviously seeing a team twice is a battle (against) an older club like that that’s got some experience,” Marlins manager Don Mattingly said. “It’s good to see him … do that both times.”

Brian Anderson and Starlin Castro homered for the Marlins.

Jack Flaherty (4-4) pitched seven innings, allowing three runs on four hits while striking out eight, and had St. Louis’ first hit off Yamamoto, a ground-rule double in the third. It was the first extra-base hit of his career.

His seven innings of tied a career high.

“I loved Jack tonight,” St. Louis manager Mike Shildt said. “He was really good. Lots of quality pitches. I thought he was tremendous.”

Dexter Fowler singled with two outs in the seventh for the other St. Louis hit. Yamamoto concluded his strong night by striking out Yadier Molina.

“They’re a great hitting team,” Yamamoto said. “I’m just taking it pitch by pitch.”

Flaherty gave credit to his opponent.

“He got guys out and he executed. I’m not trying to take anything away from him,” Flaherty said. “He’s got two starts against us and he did some things that keep guys off balance. Nothing flashy. Nothing that’s going to make you jump out of your seat and go, `Wow.’

“He was effective. He did a really good job two times in a row against us. Hat’s off to him.”

Castro broke a scoreless tie leading off the fifth when he homered to left.

After Garrett Cooper led off the seventh with a double, Anderson smacked a slider from Flaherty into the left-field seats. Flaherty has allowed 15 homers in 15 starts this season, including six in his last four starts.

Miami added three runs in the eighth on two doubles, two singles and an error.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY

Hall of Famer Lou Brock attended the game on his 80th birthday. The Cardinals’ mascot, Fredbird, presented Brock with a cake in the third inning, and the crowd serenaded him with “Happy Birthday.”

GREAT GRAB

Marlins first baseman Cooper made a long run, stretched out and landed on a tarp as he caught a foul pop by Molina to end the second inning.

TRAINER’S ROOM

Marlins: RHP Caleb Smith (left hip inflammation) threw a bullpen Tuesday. “He’s just got to go through his progression,” Mattingly said. “We’re talking about him going out (on rehab assignment) if everything keeps going good.”

Cardinals: 3B Jedd Gyorko (lower back strain) remains on the injured list after a setback in his rehab. … RHP Adam Wainwright (left hamstring strain) likely will come off the IL and start Thursday, Shildt said.

UP NEXT

Marlins: Trevor Richards (3-7, 3.68 ERA) will make his third career start against St. Louis. In his last start, he snapped a streak of four straight outings in which he allowed no more than one run, giving up five runs in a loss to Pittsburgh.

Cardinals: RHP Daniel Ponce de Leon (0-0, 2.00) will be making his first career start against Miami.

— Associated Press —

ST. LOUIS — Dexter Fowler and Matt Carpenter homered to back a strong outing by Miles Mikolas and lead the St. Louis Cardinals to a 5-0 win over the Miami Marlins on Monday night.

Mikolas (5-7) snapped a career-high losing streak of five straight decisions. He had not won a game since May 6 against Philadelphia. In making his team-leading 15th start and second straight against the Marlins, Mikolas went six innings. He scattered six hits and struck out four.

Giovanny Gallegos pitched the seventh followed by a five-pitch eighth inning by John Gant. Jordan Hicks pitched the ninth to preserve the shutout.

It was the 13th time the Marlins have been shut out in their 45 losses this season.

Miami’s Elieser Hernandez (0-2) was making his second start of the season, both against St. Louis. He gave up five hits while striking out six in six innings to take the loss.

St. Louis has won four of its last five games and six of its last eight. Miami has lost nine of its last 11 games.

Carpenter, who went 3-for-4, hit his 10th home run with one out in the third for a 1-0 St. Louis lead.

The Cardinals added their second run in the fifth. With two outs, Carpenter beat the shift by laying down a sharp bunt toward third. Hernandez ambled after it and a hustling Carpenter turned it into a double. Paul DeJong lofted a fly to short center. Second baseman Starlin Castro drifted back calling for it and center fielder JT Riddle came running in. The ball fell between them and Castro was given an error on the play and the run was unearned.

Fowler hit a three-run homer in the eighth with two outs. The home run, his third in the last four games, scored Carpenter and DeJong. Fowler’s homer gave him one against each team in the National League in his career.

ROSTER MOVE

The Cardinals announced Monday they have bought the contract of rookie first baseman/outfielder Rangel Ravelo from Triple-A Memphis (AAA) and placed infielder Yairo Munoz on the paternity List. To make room for Ravelo on the team’s 40-man roster, the Cardinals transferred right-handed pitcher Mike Mayers (right shoulder lat strain) from the 10-day Injured List to the 60-day Injured List. Ravelo, a 27-year-old rookie, has appeared in 838 career games in the minors, including stints with the Chicago White Sox and Oakland Athletics organizations. The Havana, Cuba native was signed by the Cardinals as a minor league free-agent in April of 2017. “He’s a guy who had a great spring and clearly has done well offensively,” St. Louis manager Mike Shildt said. “It’s time for Rangel to get his opportunity up here.” Ravelo got the opportunity as a pinch hitter in the seventh, grounding out to first.

TRAINER’S ROOM

Marlins: RHP Riley Farrell (right biceps tendinitis) is scheduled to throw two innings Tuesday for Triple-A New Orleans. LF Pete O’Brien (left ribcage contusion) was scheduled to begin rehab Monday night at Class A Jupiter but rained out … 3B Martin Prado (right hamstring strain) continued his therapy-only regimen. … RHP Caleb Smith (left hip inflammation) threw long toss Sunday and is scheduled for a bullpen session Tuesday in Jupiter … RHP Drew Steckenrider (right elbow inflammation) was cleared Monday to begin a throwing program … 2B Neil Walker (right quad strain) continued Monday with a running progression and all baseball activity in Jupiter. … C Chad Wallach (concussion) continued Monday with all baseball activity in Jupiter.

Cardinals: 3B Jedd Gyorko (lower back strain) did pregame work Monday and will likely be activated from the Injured List before Tuesday’s game. … RHP Adam Wainwright (left hamstring strain) had a “very favorable” bullpen Monday. He is “on track” to starting soon, Shildt said. … RHP Ryan Helsley (right shoulder impingement) will start to play catch in the next couple of days.

UP NEXT

Marlins: Jordan Yamamoto (1-0, 0.00) will be making his second career start. In his MLB debut June 12 in Miami against St. Louis, he allowed just three hits with two walks and five strikeouts in a seven innings. The Marlins won 9-0. He had never appeared above Double-A before his recall.

Cardinals: RHP Jack Flaherty (4-3, 4.28) set a career high with six runs allowed in his only career appearance against Miami on June, 6, 2018. In his last outing, Flaherty came away with a no-decision in the Cardinals’ come-from-behind rain suspended 5-4 win in 10 innings over the Mets.

— Associated Press —