Jordan Montgomery pitched six strong innings, Paul Goldschmidt and Nolan Arenado both homered, and the St. Louis Cardinals beat the Milwaukee Brewers 3-1 Friday night.
St. Louis, which has won 11 of 14, pushed its lead over Milwaukee in the NL Central to 1 1/2 games. The Cardinals won their ninth straight at home.
Montgomery (5-3), acquired from the New York Yankees in a trade for outfielder Harrison Bader on Aug. 2, allowed four hits, struck out eight and walked two.
Ryan Helsley picked up his 12th save in 15 opportunities with two scoreless innings of relief.
Goldschmidt hit a two-run homer in the first off Eric Lauer (8-4). It was Goldschmidt’s team-leading 28th of the season and his NL-leading eighth since the All-Star break, and Goldschmidt leads the majors with 28 multi-RBI games.
RHP Adam Wainwright (8-8, 3.42) will face Milwaukee RHP Corbin Burnes (8-5, 2.45) in the second game of a three-game series on Saturday, 5:20 with the pregame and the first pitch at 6:15 on KIRX.
RHP Jack Flaherty threw 35 pitches in a rehab start at Triple-A Memphis on Thursday. He gave up four hits and three earned runs over one inning. Flaherty is likely to start again next week. He has been slowed by a right shoulder strain and was placed on the 60-day Injured List on June 27.