Paul DeJong hit a two-run homer and Nolan Arenado delivered his 1,000th career RBI as the St. Louis Cardinals defeated the visiting Milwaukee Brewers 3-0 on Wednesday.
Arenado joined Hall of Famers Eddie Mathews and Chipper Jones as the only third basemen since 1920 to reach 300 homers and 1,000 RBIs before their 1,500th game. Arenado was playing in his 1,426th contest.
The Cardinals won for the eighth time in 10 games after starting the season 10-24. The Brewers lost for just the second time in six games.
St. Louis starting pitcher Matthew Liberatore (1-0) threw five-plus scoreless innings in his season debut. He held the Brewers to three hits and three walks while striking out six.
Andre Pallante pitched a scoreless inning, Giovanny Gallegos kept the Brewers in check for 1 2/3 innings, and Ryan Helsley got the final four outs for his fifth save.
Brewers starting pitcher Corbin Burnes (4-3) allowed three runs on eight hits in six innings. He struck out seven and walked one.
The Cardinals took a 1-0 lead in the first inning when Paul Goldschmidt walked with one out and Nolan Gorman and Arenado followed with singles.
Tyrone Taylor hit what he thought was a two-out, game-tying homer in the fourth inning. However, upon further review, the Cardinals' successful replay challenge verified that the ball hit the top of the wall and came back for a double.
Liberatore then stranded Taylor at second base by striking out Victor Caratini.
The Cardinals loaded the bases with no outs in the fourth inning and failed to score. Burnes struck out DeJong and Tommy Edman before retiring Lars Nootbaar on a dribbler in front of the plate.
The Cardinals upped their lead to 3-0 in the sixth when Brendan Donovan hit a one-out single and DeJong delivered a two-out homer.
The Brewers threatened in the ninth inning when Jesse Winker walked and Owen Miller hit a one-out single. Helsley then stuck out William Contreras and retired Willy Adames on a soft liner to shortstop, ending the game.
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