MLB: Masyn Winn delivers game-winning hit as Cardinals edge Phillies

Masyn Winn broke a scoreless tie in the seventh inning with a two-out RBI single and Everson Pereira added a solo home run for the host St. Louis Cardinals in a 2-0 victory against the Philadelphia Phillies on Tuesday.

Cardinals right-hander Ryne Stanek pitched out of a bases-loaded, no-out jam in the eighth inning.

St. Louis closed within 3 1/2 games of Philadelphia in the National League wild-card race one night after dropping the opener of a three-game series. The Phillies, Arizona Diamondbacks and San Diego Padres are tied for the last two wild-card positions.

After both teams got superlative starting-pitching performances, Winn came up with two outs in the seventh and drove in Jordan Walker, who had walked and stolen second against Alex McFarlane (0-1).

The Phillies attempted to rally in the eighth against left-hander Caleb Ferguson, who walked all three batters he faced one night after also walking three without retiring anyone.

After Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol went to Stanek, Luis Arraez couldn't take advantage of the bases-loaded situation, grounding into a 3-2-3 double play. J.T. Realmuto then flied deep to center, and Stanek screamed with excitement, getting out of the jam by throwing only four pitches.

In the bottom of the eighth, Pereira went deep against left-hander Tim Mayza for his fifth home run and first with the Cardinals since being claimed off waivers from the Chicago White Sox on Thursday. Pereira also made a great catch in center as he crashed into the fence.

George Soriano (6-3) kept the Phillies off the board in the seventh after right-hander Andre Pallante allowed four hits and three walks to go with two strikeouts over six innings.

Riley O'Brien pitched a 1-2-3 ninth for his 30th save.

The Phillies went 0-for-7 with runners in scoring position, stranding eight. Bryce Harper hit into two of Philadelphia's four double plays.

Left-hander Cristopher Sanchez was just as effective as Pallante, keeping the Cardinals scoreless and allowing four hits to go with seven strikeouts in six innings. Manager Don Mattingly removed him on a muggy night after 89 pitches with the Phillies' bullpen still recharging after recent heavy usage.

McFarlane, who recalled pregame from Triple-A, was throwing 100-plus mph, but his command was just shaky enough in his second major league appearance.

-Field Level Media/Reuters