PHILADELPHIA, May 3 (UPI) -- Nick Stavinoha came off the bench to blast a tie-breaking homer in the seventh Monday, sparking the St. Louis Cardinals to a 6-3 win over Philadelphia.
National League Player of the Week David Freese chipped in with a three-run double and Jamie Garcia (3-1) overcame four walks in six innings to post the victory as the Cardinals took the opener of a four-game series.
Garcia held the Phillies to one run on three hits, marking the 12th straight quality start for St. Louis -- the longest such streak for the team since 1973.
Colby Rasmus collected a trio of hits and Matt Holliday contributed two doubles in the Cards' win.
Philadelphia was led by Jayson Werth and Chase Utley, each of whom knocked a solo homer, while Joe Blanton (0-1) took the loss in his return to the Phillies' rotation after sitting out the first month with an oblique strain.
Blanton allowed four runs on 10 hits over 6 2/3 innings.
