By MATT PIKE
The last time the Cardinals won consecutive games before Friday night, it was June 29 and St. Louis sat a season-best nine games over .500, filled with confidence.
An MLB-worst 5-13 stretch followed for the Cardinals to temper their excitement and seemingly put their playoff hopes in jeopardy. However, after thumping the Padres twice in as many nights to get back to within 1 1/2 games of the National League’s final Wild Card slot, hope is back in St. Louis. Struggling starter Miles Mikolas got right against the Padres on Friday, as the Cardinals won 3-0 at Busch Stadium for the second win in a row.
In the bottom of the second inning, the Cardinals got on the scoreboard with the first run as Yohel Pozo grounded out, driving in Nolan Arenado. In the fourth inning, after back to back walks to Willson Contreras and Arenado, Masyn Winn doubled to drive in both runners for the only runs the Redbirds needed on the day. Ryan Helsley earned his 21st save striking out two batters in the ninth inning.
Mikolas pitched five shutout innings and improved to 6-7 on the season giving up seven hits while striking out one. At the plate, Contreras was 2-for-2 with a double and a walk. Winn was 1-for-2 with the double and two RBIs.
St. Louis and San Diego continue their four game series tomorrow with game three. Matthew Liberatore (6-7, 4.13 ERA) takes the mound for the Cardinals against Randy Vásquez (3-4, 3.73 ERA) for the Padres. First pitch is at 6:15pm, with coverage being joined around 6:05 on KY 102 (102.5 FM).
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