Cardinals rookie Alex Reyes allowed just four hits and two walks while pitching seven shutout innings in his third major league start. Aledmys Diaz hit a two-run homer and the NL wild card race is back on after the Cardinals topped the San Francisco Giants 3-0 on Sunday. The Giants dropped one game behind the New York Mets for the top NL wild-card spot. The Cardinals closed within one game of San Francisco.
The Cardinals are hoping to catch the struggling Giants who have won just one series at their home park since the All-Star break. The Cardinals carried momentum over from Saturday’s ninth inning rally and 3-2 eventual win.
Diaz hit his 16th homer in the third inning off Albert Suarez, which came after Matt Carpenter’s two-out double. The Cardinals added insurance when Jhonny Peralta singled home Kolten Wong who led off the inning with a triple.
Carlos Martinez (14-8, 3.15 ERA) pitches the series opener in Colorado. He is 4-1 in his last seven starts.