Tyler O’Neill doubled home the tiebreaking run in the eighth inning and the St. Louis Cardinals beat the Miami Marlins 4-2 on Monday night to halt a three-game slide.
Adam Wainwright tossed six effective innings and Paul Goldschmidt had two hits and an RBI as the Cardinals won for only the third time in 14 games. The 39-year-old Wainwright faced an opposing pitcher with fewer then 10 career appearances for the fourth straight start. He allowed two runs and four hits with six strikeouts, fanning Jorge Alfaro in the fourth for his 1,900th career punchout.
Giovanny Gallegos (4-1) pitched a hitless inning and Alex Reyes retired the side in the ninth for his 17th save.
Cardinals RHP Kodi Whitley (mid-back spasms) is playing catch and Mike Shildt said Whitley is around four to six days from getting back on a mound.
Cardinals LHP Kwang Hyun Kim (1-4, 4.05) returns from his second stint on the injured list tonight for his first outing since sustaining a back injury on June 4, 6:20 with the pregame and the first pitch at 7:15.
The Cubs and Milwaukee are still tied atop the NL Central, the third place Reds are 4 games out, the fourth place Cardinals are 5 games off the pace.