Early two-homer inning is enough for Cards vs. Rays

Victor Scott II and Tommy Pham hit two-run homers in the second inning, driving the St. Louis Cardinals past the visiting Tampa Bay Rays 4-3 on Tuesday.

Scott's homer was the first of his major league career, in his 23rd game.

Cardinals starting pitcher Sonny Gray (11-6) allowed two runs on four hits in seven innings. He struck out six and walked one.

Andrew Kittredge pitched a perfect eighth inning, and Ryan Helsley escaped the ninth, despite allowing a run, to earn his 35th save.

Brandon Lowe hit a two-run homer for the Rays, who lost for just the third time in their last eight games.

Rays starting pitcher Jeffrey Springs (0-1) gave up four runs on six hits and three walks in five innings in his second game back from Tommy John surgery. He struck out three.

Tampa Bay took a 2-0 first-inning lead. Yandy Diaz led off the game with a walk and Brandon Lowe followed with his 13th homer of the season.

The Cardinals missed an opportunity in the bottom of the inning. Masyn Winn hit a double and took third on a groundout. Willson Contreras and Paul Goldschmidt drew walks to load the bases, but Nolan Arenado grounded into an inning-ending double play.

St. Louis took a 4-2 lead in the second. Pedro Pages hit a two-out single and Scott followed with his homer to right-center. After Springs hit Winn with a pitch, Pham hit his two-run homer to left-center.

The Cardinals left two runners in scoring position in the fourth inning. Pages hit a leadoff single, Winn drew a one-out walk and the runners advanced on a groundout before Contreras flied out.

Tampa Bay staged a ninth-inning rally against Helsley. Josh Lowe walked leading off, Jose Siri followed with a single, and Jonny DeLuca hit a two-out RBI single.

On a 3-2 fastball, Taylor Walls hit a game-ending groundout to strand two runners.

--Field Level Media