The St. Louis Cardinals even the I-70 Series, Part Two, at a game apiece with a 5-1 victory over the Kansas City Royals Tuesday night at Busch Stadium.

The Cards jumped out early with all the runs they would need when Chris Duncan belted his 13 th home run of the year, a two-run blast in the 2 nd inning off Kansas City starter and losing pitcher Scott Elarton (2-3).

The Redbirds scored three more runs in the 3 rd . The Royals lone run came in the 7 th inning.

Brad Thompson (5-2) pitched 7 innings for the win, allowing 1 earned run on 7 hits. Losing pitcher Elarton surrendered 5 earned runs on 5 hits in 2 2/3 innings of work.

The Cardinals (31-37) and Royals (29-43) play the rubber game of their series Wednesday night at Busch Stadium. Gil Meche (4-6) goes to the mound for Kansas City against former Royals’ hurler Todd Wellemeyer (2-1) who starts for St. Louis.