MIAMI (AP) — Yadier Molina hit a tiebreaking sacrifice fly off former batterymate Sandy Alcantara to cap a three-run rally in the sixth inning that sent the St. Louis Cardinals over Miami Marlins 4-2 on Tuesday night.
Dylan Carlson hit his second homer of the season for an insurance run in the ninth.
Alcantara was traded by St. Louis in a package to Miami for Marcell Ozuna in December 2017, three months after making his major league debut with Molina behind the plate.
Alcantara (0-1) tied a career high with 10 strikeouts in the first five innings, before the Cardinals scored three runs in the sixth.
Cardinals starter pitcher John Gant struggled with his command early but worked his way out of a no-out, bases-loaded jam in the third. He struck out four but walked three over his four innings, and benefitted from a pair of early double plays to earn the victory. Alex Reyes earned his second save.
Final game of the series is Wednesday, Jack Flaherty for St. Louis, 2:15 with the pregame and the first pitch 3:10 on KIRX.