Cardinals 8, Royals 2
Matt Holliday had a pair of RBI singles among four hits and Adam Wainwright pitched seven strong innings as the visiting Cardinals won their second straight in the I-70 series.
Allen Craig added a two-run homer and an RBI single for St. Louis, which has erupted for 19 runs and 33 hits in the first two games in Kansas City.
Wainwright (6-7) allowed two runs on six hits, producing his fourth quality start in five June outings.
Holliday, playing DH for the second time this season, laced a two-out RBI single to give St. Louis a 1-0 third-inning lead. After Jon Jay ripped an RBI hit in the fifth, Holliday singled off third baseman Mike Moustakas’ glove to make it 3-0 and chase Luis Mendoza (2-4).
Mendoza allowed four runs on seven hits in 4 1/3 innings, and is winless in his last six starts.
Alex Gordon had two hits, including an RBI triple, for the Royals, who must win Sunday to finish 3-3 this season against their in-state rivals.
Cards leadoff hitter Rafael Furcal had two hits and two walks to raise his on-base percentage to .354.
GAME NOTEBOOK: Jay is 3-for-10 with three runs scored and an RBI in two games since returning from a shoulder injury. ... Cards C Yadier Molina was given the day off; he previously clashed with home plate umpire Rob Drake. … Royals cleanup hitter Eric Hosmer grounded out four times, dropping his average to .213. ... Cards OF Carlos Beltran went 2-for-5 and is six hits shy of 2,000 for his career.