Arizona got on the board first in the top of the fourth inning when Paul Goldschmidt blasted a 456 foot home run to deep left-center field to put the D-backs on top 1-0.

The Cards would respond quickly in the bottom half of the inning when St. Louis third baseman David Freese hit a two-run home run to left field to score Carlos Beltran and put the Cards on top 2-1. They would add another run in the bottom half of the fifth inning when Allen Craig hit a solo shot of his own to center field, extending the lead to 3-1.

August 15, 2012; St. Louis, MO. USA; St. Louis Cardinals third baseman David Freese (23) hits a two run home run during the fourth inning against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Busch Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-US PRESSWIRE

The D-backs would fight back in the top of the sixth inning, but were only able to score one run and cut the lead to 3-2 when Goldschmidt hit into a double play to score Aaron Hill from third, but killing Arizona’s shot of mounting a rally.

Rafael Furcal would crush any hopes of Arizona coming back in the bottom of the inning with a two-run RBI triple to deep right field, scoring two, and putting the game out of reach at 5-2.

St. Louis starter Adam Wainwright provided a strong start for the Cards, allowing only five hits and two earned runs through six strong innings of work. He picked up his 11th victory of the season with the win. The St. Louis bullpen provided three strong innings of relief, not allowing any hits or walks, while striking out three.

Arizona will send starter Trevor Cahill to the mound tomorrow for game three of the series in an attempt to avoid the sweep.

The Cardinals got on the board first off of a two run home run by St. Louis outfielder Matt Holliday in the bottom of the fourth inning to score Allen Craig and put St. Louis on top 2-0. They would add another run on a solo home run by Center-fielder Jon Jay to extend the lead at 3-0.

Arizona would cut the lead to 3-2 when Miguel Montero blasted a two-run home run to deep center field to score Justin Upton.

St. Louis would extend their lead in the bottom of the seventh inning when Skip Shumaker scored on a throwing error by Arizona pitcher Ian Kennedy. Craig would follow by grounding out to the shortstop, and scoring Rafael Furcal to extend the lead to 5-2.

In the bottom of the eighth inning, pinch-hit first baseman Matt Carpenter doubled to center field to score catcher Yadier Molina and Shumaker to put the Cards on top 7-2. Jay would follow with an RBI single to score Carpenter and put the game out of reach at 8-2.

Kennedy would have another rocky start for Arizona, allowing six hits, three runs, and three walks, while striking out five hitters through six innings. With the loss, Kennedy picked up his 10th loss of the season.

Joe Saunders takes the mound tomorrow in game 2 of the series against St. Louis starter Adam Wainwright.

Five teams. Five different trade deadline plans.  The Arizona Diamondbacks and San Francisco Giants are buyers.  The Los Angeles Dodgers, Colorado Rockies, and San Diego Padres are sellers.

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