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.

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This past week Yadier Molina signed a contract extension with the St. Louis Cardinals, a contract which potentially could have repercussions for the Arizona Diamondbacks.  If you haven’t heard, Molina signed a five-year deal to begin in 2013, worth $75 million which means he will make $15 million a year, up from his current $7 million a year salary.

Feb 24, 2012; Scottsdale, AZ, USA; Arizona Diamondbacks catcher Miguel Montero (left) catches during a workout at Salt River Fields. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-US PRESSWIRE

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