Final
Pham hits 1st MLB homer and drives in 3, Cards top Padres
Jul 5, 2015 - 10:17 PM ST. LOUIS (AP) Rookie outfielder Tommy Pham has done almost everything right in his first three starts with the St. Louis Cardinals.His one regret: He's fallen woefully behind in answering the congratulatory text messages from friends and family after two impressive back-to-back performances.
''Just don't have the time right now,'' Pham said. ''Eventually, I will get back to everyone.''
Pham homered, doubled and drove in three runs, leading Lance Lynn and the Cardinals over the San Diego Padres 3-1 Sunday.
The Cardinals improved to a majors-best 31-11 at home with their second successive win. San Diego has lost five of seven.
Pham was called up from Triple-A Memphis on Friday. He hit his first homer, a two-run drive off Ian Kennedy (4-8) in the third. Pham doubled home Lynn in the fifth.
On Saturday, Pham scored both runs in a 2-1 win.
''He's sparking us, that's exactly what we were hoping for,'' St. Louis manager Mike Matheny said. ''He's delivered, he's in a great spot.''
Pham's homer came on a 370-foot drive that gave the Cardinals the lead for good 2-1. The drive barely cleared the wall in left center. Pham temporarily stopped at second base, thinking it was a ground-rule double.
''I didn't know that the signs are out of play,'' Pham said. ''But I'm just trying to focus on having good at-bats, swinging at good pitches.''
Pham is 3 for 11 with one home run and three RBI this season.
Lynn (6-4) gave up three hits and one unearned run in seven innings. He also doubled and singled for his first career multihit game and scored twice.
Lynn struck out eight and retired 11 in a row at one point. He has not lost in his last six starts.
''As the game went on, I was able to hit the corners like I wanted to,'' Lynn said.
Lynn was just as pleased with his effort at the plate.
''I might be running out of luck when it comes to hitting,'' he said.
The Padres went down in order five times, three times against Lynn.
''We couldn't really put anything together off of him,'' San Diego second baseman Jedd Gyorko said. ''He had good command of his fastball. He was mixing his sinker enough to keep us off balance.''
Added San Diego manager Pat Murphy, ''He was a one-man show.''
Kevin Siegrist recorded his fourth save in six chances. Closer Trevor Rosenthal was unavailable after pitching in three successive games.
Matt Kemp drove in the Padres' run with a single in the third.
Kennedy gave up three runs on seven hits over six innings. He had allowed just one earned run in each of his previous four starts.
''Just eliminate two people in the lineup, Lynn and Pham,'' Kennedy said. ''They hit me well. I felt like I commanded everything. They worked the counts, but overall I felt pretty good.''
The Cardinals wrapped up a nine-game homestand with a 5-4 mark.
They lost four successive home games before snapping the streak with back-to-back wins over the Padres.
''You don't like to lose, especially four straight,'' Lynn said. ''To come back, right the ship a little bit, and win two in a row, we'll take it.''
San Diego has scored four runs in its last three games.
TRAINER'S ROOM
Cardinals: LHP Jaime Garcia was put on the 15-day disabled list with a groin strain sustained while running the bases against Miami on June 24. LHP Tim Cooney was recalled from the minors and will start on Tuesday against the Chicago Cubs.
UP NEXT
Padres: RHP James Shields (7-3, 4.14) will start the first of a three-game series in Pittsburgh against RHP A. J. Burnett (7-3, 2.05).
Cardinals: RHP John Lackey (6-5, 3.30) will start in the first of a four-game set in Chicago against the Cubs on Monday. He will be opposed by LHP Jon Lester (4-6, 3.74).
- SAN DIEGO: 1
ST. LOUIS: 3
Final
Jul 5 4:41 PM - Tommy Pham doubles to deep left center field. Lance Lynn scores.
Padres 1, Cardinals 3 Bot 5, 1 OutJul 5 3:43 PM - Tommy Pham homers to deep left field. Lance Lynn scores.
Padres 1, Cardinals 2 Bot 3, 0 OutsJul 5 3:12 PM - Matt Kemp singles to left field. Yangervis Solarte scores.
Padres 1, Cardinals 0 Top 3, 2 OutsJul 5 3:03 PM - SAN DIEGO: 0
ST. LOUIS: 0
Top 1, 0 Outs
Jul 5 2:16 PM - Melvin Upton pops out to Yadier Molina.
Jul 5 2:15 PM
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