The Cardinals seized control early and never let go, building a four-run advantage through four innings before holding off a late Miami rally for a 5-3 victory at loanDepot park.
Dustin May anchored the win with 5.1 innings of one-run ball, allowing six hits while striking out five. The right-hander improved to 3-2 despite carrying a 5.84 ERA, working efficiently through 97 pitches to earn his third victory of the season.
St. Louis struck immediately in the first when Burleson singled to center, bringing Wetherholt home for the game's opening run. Miami answered quickly as Marsee homered to right, a 351-foot blast that tied the game 1-1. The Cardinals regained the lead in the third on Burleson's fielder's choice that scored Wetherholt, then broke it open in the fourth when Church homered to right, a 370-foot drive that brought Winn home and extended the lead to 4-1. Gorman's fifth-inning single to left scored Burleson and capped the Cardinals' offensive surge.
Chris Paddack struggled for Miami, lasting just 4.2 innings while allowing eight hits and five earned runs. The left-hander struck out seven but fell to 0-4 with a 6.38 ERA. Miami mounted a late charge in the eighth when Hernández singled to right, scoring both Edwards and Hicks to cut the deficit to 5-3, but could not complete the comeback.
The victory snapped a one-game losing streak for St. Louis, improving their record to 13-9. Miami's two-game winning streak ended as they fell to 11-12.