Paul DeJong drove in three runs in his second game back from battling COVID-19 and Jack Flaherty tossed five shutout innings to help the St. Louis Cardinals beat the Kansas City Royals 9-3 Monday.
Paul Goldschmidt homered and also drove in three for the Cardinals, who have won four of five.
Flaherty (2-0), in just his second start in 30 days, allowed one hit in a 64-pitch effort. He struck out three and did not walk a batter.
Brad Keller (3-1) had not permitted run in his first three starts this season, covering 17 2/3 innings. That string was halted by DeJong’s sacrifice fly in the first.
Keller left in the fifth after giving up three singles and a walk to begin the inning.
Jorge Soler hit his seventh homer of the season for the Royals, a three-run shot in the sixth inning off Alex Reyes.
Brad Miller had three hits and reached base four times for St. Louis, which has won 12 of the last 15 games between the cross-state rivals.
Kansas City has lost four of five.
LHP Danny Duffy has been scratched from his scheduled start on Wednesday due to left forearm fatigue. Matheny indicated that he will use either RHP Jakob Junis or an opener in the contest. Junis has been slowed by back spasms.
RHP Carlos Martinez threw batting practice against teammates on Monday. Martinez is battling back from COIVD-19. He will return as a starter.
RHP Matt Harvey (0-1, 9.00) will face RHP Adam Wainwright (2-0, 2.00) in the second of a three-game series on Tuesday, 6:20 with the pregame, first pitch 7:15 on KIRX>
The first place Cubs have a three game edge of second place St. Louis in the NL Central.