ST. LOUIS (AP) — Adam Wainwright was so excited after throwing a shutout for the St. Louis Cardinals, he acknowledged he got emotional. “It was a huge sense of relief,” Wainwright said. “A huge sense of feeling blessed. I’ve worked very hard to get back to where I am. “I told Jake (Westbrook) I think it might be the best feeling I’ve ever had pitching. I’ve done some things that are pretty fun but I can’t remember ever feeling that emotional after a game.” Wainwright threw a four-hitter and the Cardinals beat the San Diego Padres 4-0 on Tuesday night. It was his first shutout victory since Aug. 6, 2010, and third in his career. Wainwright (3-5), who missed 2011 with elbow ligament replacement surgery, struck out nine and walked one while throwing 111 pitches. He retired the first eight batters and allowed just one runner to reach third base. Carlos Beltran had two hits and two RBIs and Matt Holliday added two hits and an RBI for the Cardinals. Edinson Volquez (2-4) gave up five hits and three runs in six innings. The former Cincinnati Red remains winless in St. Louis. He is 0-3 in four career starts at Busch Stadium with a 6.50 ERA.

In related news: St. Louis reliever Kyle McClellan said he will not need surgery on his sore right elbow. He said he hopes to begin throwing in six weeks. Cardinals Third-baseman David Freese sat out his second consecutive game. Freese is mired in a 6-for-42 slump over the last 12 games.