The fifth inning changed everything. San Diego scored three times to erase a one-run deficit and defeat St. Louis 4-2 at Petco Park, snapping a two-game losing streak.
Randy Vasquez earned the victory with five innings of work, allowing 6 hits and 1 run while striking out 6. The right-hander improved to 4-1 with a 3.05 ERA. Mason Miller closed it out with 1.1 scoreless innings for his 12th save, striking out 4 despite issuing 2 walks.
The Cardinals struck first when Nathan Church doubled to center, scoring Jordan Walker in the fourth inning. But San Diego answered immediately in the fifth. Ty France tied the game with a solo homer to center field that traveled 405 feet. Fernando Tatis then delivered the key blow, singling to right to score Song and Freddy Fermin for a 3-1 lead.
St. Louis made it close in the eighth when Ivan Herrera doubled to left, bringing home JJ Wetherholt to cut the deficit to 3-2. But Manny Machado answered with a solo homer to left center, providing the final margin. Dustin May took the loss despite a strong effort, allowing 3 runs over 6 innings with 7 strikeouts. The Cardinals starter fell to 3-4 with a 4.85 ERA.
San Diego improved to 22-16 while St. Louis fell to 23-15. Both teams sit in second place in their respective divisions.