Lars Nootbaar hit a three-run homer to help lift the St. Louis Cardinals over the visiting Houston Astros 4-1 Wednesday afternoon.

Thomas Saggese went 2-for-4 with a run and an RBI as St. Louis finished 4-2 on the homestand.

In his first start for the Cardinals this season since moving from the bullpen, Steven Matz (1-0) allowed one run on two hits in five innings. He struck out five batters and walked none.

Ryan Fernandez, Kyle Leahy and Phil Maton each pitched a scoreless inning for St. Louis. Ryan Helsley closed out the ninth inning for his third save.

Astros pitcher Ronel Blanco (1-2) allowed three runs on five hits and three walks in five innings. He struck out one.

Houston took a quick 1-0 lead in the first inning. Jose Altuve hit a leadoff single, moved to third base on Jeremy Pena’s single, then scored on Isaac Paredes’ groundout. Pena got as far third base with one before Matz struck out Christian Walker and retired Yainer Diaz on a flyout.

The Cardinals threatened in the third inning. Nootbaar drew a one-out walk and moved to second on a flyout, but Brendan Donovan popped out to strand him.

St. Louis left another runner in scoring position during the fourth inning. Alec Burleson reached on an infield single with one out and stole second base with two outs. But Blanco retired Yohel Pozo on a groundout to end the threat.

The Cardinals moved ahead 3-1 in the fifth inning. Victor Scott II led off with a bunt single, Saggese followed with a single and Nootbaar launched his homer.

St. Louis increased its lead to 4-1 in the sixth inning.

Jordan Walker and Pozo singled to start the inning off reliever Logan VanWey. After Saggese’s one-out RBI double, Steven Okert relieved VanWey and retired the next batters to prevent further trouble.

–Field Level Media