Paul Goldschmidt hit a first inning home run and pitching took care of the rest as the Cardinals blanked the Royals Monday 1-0.
Steven Matz and the Cardinals bullpen made it stand up.
Matz (3-1) scattered four hits, including a pair of doubles, in six innings. He walked none, hit a batter and struck out four. St. Louis relievers Kodi Whitley, Nick Wittgren and Giovanny Gallegos were equally sharp, each pitching an inning in the combined five-hitter. Gallegos gave up a two-out single in the ninth but picked up his fifth save in six chances.
It was the fourth shutout this season for the Cardinals.
Zach Greinke (0-2) gave up only three hits in six innings, but it was the Goldschmidt home run that proved costly.
Royals catcher Cam Gallagher (left hamstring strain) placed on 10-day IL. Gallagher got hurt as ran out a single in the third inning in Sunday’s game against the Yankees. The Royals had to pinch-run for him. An MRI showed a Grade 2 hamstring strain. He will be out for an undetermined amount of time.
Cardinals infielder Tommy Edman (aggravated hip flexor) didn’t play. He left Sunday’s game against Arizona in the seventh inning. He said after the game Sunday that neither he nor the St. Louis medical staff believe the injury is serious. … RHP Drew VerHagen (right hip) is scheduled to have a rehab assignment Tuesday in Triple-A Memphis.
Now the teams move to Kauffman Stadium for a matchup Tuesday night, Brad Keller goes up against Dakota Hudson, 6:15 with the pregame and the first pitch at 7:10 on KIRX.