Wainwright struck out nine to notch his third win of the season and his first shutout since 2010. Padres starter Edinson Volquez kept his team in the game until the sixth inning when everything unraveled.
Trailing 2-0, Volquez needed some defensive help to get out of the sixth but didn't get it. With runners on first and third Carlos Beltran hit a sharp grounder to first baseman Yonder Alonzo. After hesitating just slightly Alonzo threw behind Daniel Descalso who was halfway between third and home. Descalso slid safely under catcher John Baker's tag to make it 3-0 Cardinals even though the throw beat him to the plate.
Things went from bad to worse for Volquez and company. Later in the inning with the bases loaded and one out Volquez shook off numerous pitches from Baker. The two had a conference at the mound to discuss the communication problem.
It appeared that the Padres would escape any further damage when Tyler Greene hit a routine double play ball to shortstop Everth Cabrera. He booted the ball and instead of an inning ending double play, he was only able to get the runner at second. That mistake allowed Matt Holliday to score from third to make it 3-0 Cardinals.
Wainwright got Jesus Guzman to ground into a fielder's choice to end the game. The Cardinals go for the series sweep Wednesday.
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