Tyler O’Neill had a career-high four hits, including a solo home run, and Adam Wainwright threw seven effective innings and the St. Louis Cardinals beat the Kansas City Royals 4-2 on Friday night.
Paul Goldschmidt also homered to help St. Louis snap a three-game losing streak.
Ryan O’Hearn had a run-scoring triple for the Royals. They were coming off consecutive victories over AL Central-leading Chicago.
O’Neill finished a triple shy of the cycle. He hit his 18th homer of the season leading off the fourth inning.
The red-hot O’Neill has reached base safely in 14 of his last 18 plate appearances.
Wainwright (10-6) allowed two runs on seven hits. He struck out six and walked two.
Alex Reyes picked up his 25th save in 26 chances.
Mike Minor took the loss, working 5 innings, allowing 4 runs on 7 hits, striking out 7.
Royals OF Andrew Benintendi did not start for the third game in a row after leaving Tuesday’s contest against the White Sox with a left shoulder strain. He struck out as a pinch hitter in the seventh.
LHP Kwang Hyun Kim (6-6, 3.31) will face Kansas City RHP Brad Keller (7-10, 5.64) in the second game of the three-game series on Saturday night, 5:20 with the pregame and the first pitch at 6:15 on KIRX.
The first place Brewers lead the second place Reds by 7 games, the third place Cardinals are 11 1/2 back.