SAN DIEGO — — Willson Contreras hit a two-run homer off Yu Darvish in the sixth inning, and the St. Louis Cardinals beat the San Diego Padres 5-2 on Tuesday night to win the first two of a three-game series.
Miles Mikolas (1-1), who broke into the majors with San Diego in 2012, improved to 3-2 against his old squad. He allowed two runs and seven hits in six innings.
Ryan Helsley worked the ninth for his first save in two chances.
Darvish (0-1), who is in his fourth season with San Diego, pitched efficiently until the sixth. Leading 2-1, Darvish walked Brendan Donovan with one out, struck out Paul Goldschmidt and then allowed Contreras’ homer to right, his second. Contreras also hit a two-run homer in St. Louis’ 6-2 win Monday night.
Cardinals LHP Zack Thompson (0-1, 8.44 ERA) and Padres RHP Joe Musgrove (0-1, 9.72) are scheduled to start the series finale on Wednesday, 2:15 with the pregame and the first pitch at 3:10 on KIRX.