Albert Pujols and Nolan Arenado homered and combined for seven hits, and Jose Quintana made his second strong start for St. Louis in the Cardinals’ 9-5 victory over the Colorado Rockies on Wednesday night.
Pujols and Arenado had run-scoring hits in the Cardinals’ five-run first inning and connected on back-to-back homers in the sixth for an 8-2 lead. Pujols had four hits and finished a triple short of the cycle. Arenado also was a triple short of the cycle.
Quintana (4-5) gave up two runs and seven hits and struck out six in his second quality start since being obtained from Pittsburgh on Aug. 1.
Quintana (4-5) gave up two runs and seven hits and struck out six in his second quality start since being obtain from Pittsburgh on Aug. 1.
RHP Jack Flaherty (shoulder) was rained out of his first scheduled rehab appearance with Triple-A Memphis on Wednesday. Flaherty has been on the 60-day IL since June 27, a day after his third start of the season. … LHP Steven Matz (torn ligament) played catch in Colorado on Tuesday and will increase his throwing this week. There is no timetable for his return.
St. Louis RHP Dakota Hudson (6-6, 4.20 ERA) will pitch in the finale today, 1:15 with the pregame and the first pitch at 2:10 on KIRX.
The Brewers beat Tampa Bay 4-3 to keep the Cardinals one game lead in the NL Central.