Pallante throws 7 strong innings as Cardinals beat Padres 3-2

ST. LOUIS (AP) — Andre Pallante threw seven strong innings, Blaze Jordan hit an RBI double and Nathan Church added an RBI single as the St. Louis Cardinals beat the San Diego Padres 3-2 on Tuesday night.

Pallante (8-4) struck out six while giving up two runs on four hits, and Riley O’Brien earned his 18th save.

Lars Nootbaar opened the second inning with a walk before he scored on Jordan's first double of the season. Church singled and Jordan gave St. Louis a 2-0 lead.

Nootbaar capped the Cardinal's scoring with a sacrifice fly to center field in the fifth to put the Cardinals up 3-1.

JJ Wetherholt finished 3 for 4 with a walk for St. Louis — tying a season-high in hits for the fourth time this season. Wetherholt became the second rookie this season with 65+ hits and 10+ home runs.

Michael King (4-6) took the loss after allowing three runs on five hits in 4 1/3 innings.

Ty France hit an RBI single in the fifth that scored a run before being thrown out at second while trying to leg out a double. Jackson Merrill had a one-run double in the sixth that scored Fernando Tatis Jr. but that was it for the Padres to cap a four-hit night.

The Cardinals became the fifth National League team to reach 40 wins this season.

RHP Kyle Leahy (5-3, 4.64 ERA) takes the mound for the Cardinals, while the Brewers have yet to announce a starter for the series finale on Wednesday.

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St. Louis Cardinals starting pitcher Andre Pallante throws in the first inning of a baseball game against the San Diego Padres, Tuesday, June 16, 2026, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Joe Puetz)

San Diego Padres relief pitcher Yuki Matsui throws in the fifth inning of a baseball game against the St. Louis Cardinals, Tuesday, June 16, 2026, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Joe Puetz)

St. Louis Cardinals shortstop Masyn Winn throws out San Diego Padres' Gavin Sheets at first base in the fifth inning of a baseball game, Tuesday, June 16, 2026, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Joe Puetz)

St. Louis Cardinals' Blaze Jordan (33) is congratulated by teammate JJ Wetherholt (26) after scoring a run in the second inning of a baseball game against the San Diego Padres, Tuesday, June 16, 2026, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Joe Puetz)

St. Louis Cardinals' Lars Nootbaar hits a sacrifice fly in the fifth inning of a baseball game against the San Diego Padres, Tuesday, June 16, 2026, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Joe Puetz)

HOUSTON (AP) — The Houston Astros reinstated catcher Yainer Diaz and right-hander Hunter Brown from the injured list and both contributed in a 4-2 win over the Detroit Tigers on Tuesday night.

Diaz had been out for more than two months with an oblique strain after he was hurt during batting practice. Brown went on the IL with a shoulder strain in April, a year after he won 12 games with a 2.43 ERA.

Brown started on the mound and allowed one run, three hits and three walks while striking out seven over 5 2/3 innings. Diaz was 1 for 3 with a walk and threw out a runner attempting to steal second base.

The Astros also designated righty Jayden Murray for assignment and optioned catcher Collin Price to Triple-A Sugar Land. The 29-year-old Murray had a 7.43 ERA in eight games this season. The 26-year-old Price was 2 for 12 in seven games this year.

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Houston Astros starting pitcher Hunter Brown throws against the Detroit Tigers during the first inning of a baseball game, Tuesday, June 16, 2026, in Houston. (AP Photo/Michael Wyke)

Detroit Tigers' Dillon Dingler is out at the plate on the tag by Houston Astros catcher Yainer Diaz, center, as umpire Adrian Johnson, right, looks on during the first inning of a baseball game, Tuesday, June 16, 2026, in Houston. (AP Photo/Michael Wyke)

Houston Astros starting pitcher Hunter Brown throws against the Detroit Tigers during the first inning of a baseball game, Tuesday, June 16, 2026, in Houston. (AP Photo/Michael Wyke)

FILE - Houston Astros designated hitter Yainer Diaz (21) reacts to striking out against New York Yankees relief pitcher Fernando Cruz during the sixth inning of a baseball game, Saturday, April 25, 2026, in Houston. (AP Photo/Karen Warren,File)