Molina’s three hits lift Cardinals over Brewers 4-3

ST. LOUIS — Paul DeJong hit a tiebreaking, leadoff homer in the eighth inning, Yadier Molina had three hits and two RBIs, and the St. Louis Cardinals beat the Milwaukee Brewers 4-3 Tuesday night.

Milwaukee had three solo homers, two by Travis Shaw and another by Orlando Arcia. The Brewers had four solo homers in a 13-5 loss Monday.

DeJong took reliever Alex Wilson (1-1) deep to make it 3-2. Molina hit his second double with one out, scoring Jose Martinez, who had walked to go with two singles. Molina stole third but was stranded there. It was his first stolen base this season and the 17th time he’s stolen third in his career.

Andrew Miller (1-1) struck out two in a perfect eighth to pick up his first win as a Cardinal. Miller’s last victory was on Aug. 9 against Minnesota.

Jordan Hicks pitched the ninth for his sixth save. Shaw led off the ninth with his second home run. After a walk, Hicks got a strikeout and a double play.

Paul Goldschmidt singled home Matt Carpenter with two outs in the fifth, giving St. Louis a 2-1 lead. Carpenter drew a walk and then stole second, his first this season, to get into scoring position.

Arcia belted a homer to center to lead off the fifth and tie it at 1. Shaw’s homer off reliever John Gant tied it at 2 in the sixth. Shaw also homered in Monday’s series opener when he snapped an 0-for-17 skid.

St. Louis starter Daniel Ponce de Leon, who was activated before the game, started in place of the injured Michael Wacha. In his season debut, Ponce de Leon pitched five innings, striking out seven and allowing two hits and one run.

Milwaukee starter Zach Davies pitched 4 2/3 innings. He gave up seven hits and two runs.

CARLOS MARTINEZ UPDATE

Cardinals RHP Carlos Martinez, out with right shoulder cuff strain, has missed 23 games. He threw a side session Tuesday. He’s up to 30 pitches of moderate-to-high intensity. He will throw again Friday and likely one more session after that, manager Mike Shildt said. When he comes back, it will be as a reliever.

“It’s just about the amount of intensity and the length of intensity,” Shildt said. “Sustaining intensity, which would obviously be required as a starter to throw sides and to be able to pitch every fifth or sixth day. We’d expect him to be able come back and be able to go a competent and confident 80 to 100 pitches and just don’t feel like we’re at this point right now and that’s an ask that he can give or we can ask.”

ROSTER MOVES

Cardinals: INF/OF Drew Robinson, who was recalled from Triple-A Memphis on Monday, was sent back down Tuesday to make room for Ponce de Leon.

TRAINER’S ROOM

Brewers: RHP Freddy Peralta (right shoulder inflammation) will throw a full bullpen session Wednesday. His 15-pitch light bullpen Monday went fine, the Brewers said. He could rejoin the rotation in the next homestand, which begins Monday against Colorado.

Cardinals: OF Harrison Bader (right hamstring strain) ran the bases before the game. He is expected to be activated from the injured list before Wednesday’s game. … OF Tyler O’Neill (right ulner nerve subluxation) was set to begin his rehab assignment Tuesday night in Double-A Springfield. He will play three games there and get four at-bats in each. … RHP Luke Gregerson (right shoulder impingement) visted with team doctors Tuesday and will returng to Doube-A Springfield. He will be used out of the bullpen as a regular reliever instead of structured work.

UP NEXT

Brewers: Jhoulys Chacin (2-2, 5.92) will be making his second start this season against St. Louis. Chacin is 3-7 with a 5.66 ERA in 12 career games (11 starts) against St. Louis.

Cardinals: Adam Wainwright (1-2, 4.74) pitched a season-high seven innings in his last start (April 11) against the Brewers. His 15 career wins against Milwaukee is the most among active pitchers.