ST. LOUIS (AP) - Bronson Arroyo was 3-0 with a major-league best 0.39 ERA his first three starts this month. The Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher would have needed a fourth game just like it just to keep his team close.
Adam Wainwright threw a one-hitter, facing one hitter over the minimum, and the St. Louis Cardinals ended an eight-game home run drought with long balls from Matt Adams and Jhonny Peralta in a 5-0 victory over Arizona on Tuesday night.
“He tried his fastball, he tried his curveball, his sliders,” Arizona manager Kirk Gibson said. “They just got him, but you’ve got to tip your cap to Wainwright.”
The Diamondbacks are last in the NL West at 18-29 but have been playing better lately, winning four of their last five series. Both teams had a day off Monday, and Arizona could have done without a break.
“We came in here feeling pretty good. Bats were hot, we didn’t want that day off,” A.J. Pollock said after going 0 for 3 with two strikeouts. “We felt like we were rolling, and to catch a pitcher hot like that, it’s frustrating.”
Arizona’s highlight was Pollock’s running catch steps from the wall in left-center to rob Yadier Molina of extra bases in the sixth. Pollock juggled the ball after making contact.
“I felt it come out of my glove and I looked over and fortunately the ball was right in front of my face,” Pollock said. “It was good to do something out there, at least. It was a cool play.”
Working on six days rest because of a rainout and day off, Wainwright (7-2) retired the first 11 batters before Paul Goldschmidt doubled off the wall in center with two outs in the fourth. He matched his season best with nine strikeouts.
Peralta hit his team-leading ninth of the season in the sixth and added one of the Cardinals’ five doubles for a second RBI against Bronson Arroyo (4-3). Arroyo, who hadn’t allowed a homer his last four starts, gave up five runs in seven innings - all of them scoring with two outs.
“I had a pretty good night as far as the way I felt,” Arroyo said. “It was one of the easier outings I’ve had all year, honestly. With two outs, they were tough, they just got it done.”
Adams’ two-run shot in the first was the Cardinals’ first since May 9 when Peralta and Craig homered at Pittsburgh. It was their first in nine home games since Adams and Craig connected against the Brewers on April 30.
The Cardinals entered with 23 homers, fewest in the National League and second fewest in the majors.
The one-hitter was a career best for Wainwright, who has thrown four two-hitters. He threw his second shutout of the season and the eighth of his career on a day Cardinals manager Mike Matheny said struggling closer Trevor Rosenthal would not be available. Rosenthal has two blown saves his last five appearances, the last coming when he pitched for the fourth straight game and took the loss against the Braves on Sunday.
The Diamondbacks arrived minus new chief baseball officer Tony La Russa, who managed the Cardinals for 16 seasons and retired in 2011 after leading them to a second World Series title. Gibson said before the game he didn’t think it would have been a distraction.
“Having him around, we look at as a positive,” Gibson said. “I would say he’s probably a little better at making decisions than I am.”
Gibson has two former La Russa aides on his staff, first base coach Dave McKay and pitching consultant Dave Duncan. When Gibson played for the Tigers, he recalled La Russa spending a lot of time with mentor Sparky Anderson.
“I certainly hope we have common ground,” Gibson said. “I certainly hope he can help us win a world championship, and I’m part of it.”
The Diamondbacks’ first three hitters had been 15 for 28 with four homers and 11 RBIs the previous three games.
NOTES: Arroyo is 8-17 for his career against the Cardinals. … Plate umpire Brian O’Nora left after three innings due to illness and the game was delayed several minutes while Marvin Hudson, who had been at second base, put on equipment to replace him. … Diamondbacks 2B Aaron Hill (shoulder) missed his third straight start but is expected to return Wednesday. Gibson said an MRI exam last week showed no problems. … Attendance of 42,252 was the Cardinals’ 10th of the season. .. Wainwright has 106 victories with St. Louis, tied with eighth on the career list with Slim Salee. … Wainwright is 5-1 in six career starts at home against Arizona.
Please read our comment policy before commenting.