Big first inning dooms Zambrano, boosts Cardinals

10:05 PM, Jun 26, 2012   |    comments
  • Share
  • Email
  • Print
  • - A A A +

Miami, FL (Sports Network) - Over his last three starts coming in, St. Louis starter Kyle Lohse had received just four total runs of support.

Aided by a pair of Miami miscues, the Cardinals topped that mark in the opening frame on Tuesday.

Yadier Molina smacked a three-run homer as part of a five-run first inning, while Lohse tossed 7 1/3 strong innings as St. Louis won its season-high fifth straight game with a 5-2 triumph over the Marlins in the middle test of a three-game set.

Lohse (7-2) was charged with two runs on four hits and two walks for the Cardinals, who won their eighth straight game against the Marlins.

Carlos Zambrano (4-6) surrendered four hits and five unearned runs in the first for Miami, which has dropped 17 of its last 20 contests. In all, the eccentric right-hander fanned five and allowed seven hits and five walks in 6 2/3 innings.

The Sports Network