St. Louis Cardinals vs San Diego Padres Box Score on Sep 04, 2017

The Sports Xchange
Sep 4, 2017

SAN DIEGO -- Carlos Martinez threw his second shutout of the season and Yadier Molina had a two-run single as the St. Louis Cardinals beat the San Diego Padres 2-0 on Monday.

Molina's big hit came in the fourth inning as the Cardinals won for the fourth time in five games as they try to stay within striking distance of a National League wild-card berth. St. Louis is three games behind Colorado for the second wild card.

Martinez (11-10) won for the second time in his last four outings as he was seldom challenged by the Padres, who managed but three singles. San Diego never had two runners on base in the same inning, none of which were in scoring position. Martinez struck out 10 and walk two.

Luis Perdomo (7-9) drew his fourth loss in his last six decisions. He pitched six innings and surrendered two runs on seven hits, with three walks. He had six strikeouts.

For Martinez, it was his third nine-inning effort on this season and the second one that he won. He didn't get a decision when going nine against the Giants on May 2, as the Cardinals lost in 13 innings. Martinez threw his first career shutout when stopping the Phillies on four hits on June 10.

The Padres, who just took three of four from the Los Angeles Dodgers, had their three-game winning streak snapped.

St. Louis loaded the bases in the fifth when Perdomo struggled with his command. Randal Grichuk began the frame with a walk and Tommy Pham singled. Perdomo walked Paul DeJong to load the bases. But Jose Martinez's fly to center field was caught at the base of the fence by Manuel Margot.

The Cardinals struck in the fourth in taking a 2-0 lead.

Molina had the big hit, although it came with an assist. After Pham opened with a single and advanced to second on DeJong's walk, Molina lifted a fly ball to left fielder Jose Pirela. After a long run, the ball glanced off Pirela's glove to score Pham and DeJong. Molina generously was credited with a hit.

NOTES: Cardinals 3B Matt Carpenter was replaced in the fifth inning because of a sore shoulder. LF Tommy Pham exited in the seventh, also with a sore shoulder after injuring it on a slide. ... Cardinals OF Dexter Fowler (hip) was out of the lineup, although he was available to pinch-hit. ... Cardinals INF Kolten Wong (back) didn't start. .. Padres OF Jabari Blash had struck out eight straight times before flying out in the seventh. ... Monday was the fifth game the Padres played in 70 hours.