Cardinals 7, Dodgers 4
David Freese collected three hits - including a two-run single to highlight a four-run fifth inning - as host St. Louis claimed three of four games versus struggling Los Angeles.
Tony Cruz capped a string of four straight singles in the decisive frame with his second run-scoring base hit of the contest. Matt Holliday added a solo homer and Allen Craig and rookie Matt Carpenter had RBI singles for the Cardinals, who banged out 18 hits en route to winning their third in a row and sixth in seven outings.
Jake Westbrook (9-8) benefited from the hitting display to avenge a 6-0 loss to Los Angeles on May 19. The veteran right-hander allowed four runs on seven hits and struck out six in seven innings.
Mitchell Boggs fanned two in the eighth inning and Jason Motte struck out the side in the ninth for his 22nd save.
After the Dodgers recorded five straight singles to secure a 4-2 lead in the top of the fifth, the Cardinals matched the scoring output in their half of the frame. Craig's single to shallow left plated Daniel Descalso before Freese's two-run single to right center gave St. Louis a 5-4 advantage.
Although that spelled the end of the day for Chris Capuano (10-6), Cruz greeted reliever Javy Guerra with an RBI single. Capuano was charged with six runs on 11 hits in 4 1/3 innings.
Juan Rivera, Luis Cruz and Matt Treanor had consecutive RBI singles for the Dodgers, who have dropped 10 of their last 16 to fall three games behind National League West-leading San Francisco. Los Angeles will begin a pivotal three-game set versus the Giants on Friday to cap its 10-game road trip.
GAME NOTEBOOK: St. Louis has recorded a National League-best 10 games with 15-or-more hits. ... Capuano, who had a sacrifice fly in the fifth inning, fell to 0-4 in his last six appearances in the Gateway City. ... St. Louis will visit the Windy City to begin a three-game set versus the Chicago Cubs on Friday.