ST. LOUIS (AP) — The Cardinals slumping bats remained quiet through a 95-minute rain delay. Once they were able to get going, they never cooled off.
Jose Martinez drove in five runs and had four hits to help the Cardinals rout the Philadelphia Phillies 12-4 on Friday night.
Francisco Pena homered and also had a single and double for the Cardinals.
The Cardinals set a season high with 15 hits, but got none off Phillies shortstop Pedro Florimon, who threw a perfect eighth inning in his second pitching appearance of the season. Florimon then hit his second home run of the season to cap off his night in the ninth.
Despite the margin of defeat, Phillies manager Gabe Kapler had plenty of praise for Florimon.
“What an inspiration he has been to our team,” Kapler said. “I walked over to him and said ‘Flo, I’d really like you to pitch this inning for us and he just looked at me and said ‘Absolutely, I got you.'”
Michael Wacha (5-1) gave up two runs on five hits. He struck out eight and walked two to earn his 50th career win.
Despite the rain delay, Wacha held his opponent to two or fewer runs for his sixth consecutive start.
Jake Arrieta (3-2) lasted three innings in his shortest outing of the season. He allowed four runs on five hits with two walks.
UP NEXT:
Philadelphia RHP Zach Eflin (1-0, 0.71 ERA) will face St. Louis RHP John Gant (1-1, 4.15 ERA) in the third game of a four game series Saturday.