ST. LOUIS (AP) – Pinch hitter Daniel Descalso hit a two-run single with the bases loaded to snap an eighth-inning tie and the St. Louis Cardinals rallied past the Kansas City Royals with a 5-3 victory on Wednesday night. Luis Mendoza got his first career hit and RBI and held the Cardinals to a run in 5 2-3 innings before the bullpen failed for the Royals, who have lost a season-worst eight in a row. They dropped the first two games of the interleague series by a combined 10-4 score and have totaled 11 runs the last six games.
 
Matt Holliday and Carlos Beltran homered for the Cardinals, who have won seven of eight and lead the majors with a 35-17 record. Randy Choate (1-0) got the last out in the eighth and Edward Mujica finished for his 17th save in 17 chances.