Iván Herrera hit a go-ahead two-run home run, and Miles Mikolas pitched six solid innings to help the St. Louis Cardinals beat the Athletics 2-1 on Tuesday night.
Mikolas (7-10) gave up a run on five hits in six innings. He didn’t have a strikeout and walked one. The right-hander was 0-2 with a 6.04 ERA in five August starts.
Matt Svanson followed with two scoreless innings and JoJo Romero pitched a 1-2-3 ninth for his sixth save.
Victor Scott II drew a leadoff walk from Hogan Harris in the sixth. Michael Kelly (4-3) replaced Harris with two outs and Scott on third and Iván Herrera hit his 12th homer three pitches later for a 2-1 lead.
Luis Severino left leading 1-0 after five innings and 61 pitches in his first start since Aug. 5. He allowed three hits and a walk. Severino followed five straight losses with four wins in a row before missing time with a left oblique strain.
JJ Bleday had a leadoff double in the third and rookie Nick Kurtz – batting .325 average with runners in scoring position – doubled to put the Athletics ahead. Bleday homered twice for the Athletics (64-76) in an 11-3 win in the opener.
The Cardinals (69-71) have just three wins in their last 11 home games.
Up next
Athletics Jeffrey Springs (10-9, 4.17 ERA) starts Wednesday’s rubber game opposite Matthew Liberatore (6-11, 4.32).
First pitch at Busch Stadium is set for 6:45 with pregame coverage by Ameren Total Access beginning at 5:50. Wednesday’s game can be heard on KTLO AM 1240.
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