CHICAGO (AP) — Matt Carpenter’s homer streak is over. Jose Quintana was that good. Quintana pitched seven effective innings, keeping Carpenter in the ballpark and helping the Chicago Cubs beat the St. Louis Cardinals 7-2 on Sunday.

Quintana (9-6) allowed two runs and six hits, struck out six and walked four in his first start since July 10. The left-hander also matched his career high with 121 pitches after he got an extended break to work with pitching coach Jim Hickey on his changeup and get over some shoulder fatigue.

Kyle Schwarber hit a tiebreaking solo homer off Mike Mayers (2-1) with two out in the sixth inning, and the Cubs broke it open with three runs in the eighth. The NL Central leaders took three of five from the Cardinals in their first series after the All-Star break and moved 3 1/2 games ahead of second-place Milwaukee.

Carpenter’s homer streak ended at six games, a single-season record for St. Louis.
Cardinals: RHP Luke Weaver, who was the 26th man for Saturday’s doubleheader and started Game 1, returned to the minors. He is expected to return next weekend to make a start.

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Cubs: RHP Dillon Maples was optioned to Triple-A Iowa.
Cardinals: INF Jedd Gyorko (illness) is feeling much better after sitting out Saturday’s doubleheader, Shildt said. Gyorko grounded out as a pinch hitter with two on in the sixth inning and stayed in the game.

UP NEXT
Cardinals: RHP Daniel Poncedeleon will make his major league debut Monday at Cincinnati. He underwent surgery in 2017 to relieve pressure around his brain after he was hit in the head by a line drive while pitching for Triple-A Memphis. RHP Luis Castillo (5-8, 5.49 ERA) is set to start for the Reds.