Cardinals win series opener vs. D-Backs

PHOENIX -- Lance Lynn pitched six effective innings with the help of four double plays and Yadier Molina hit a two-run single in the seventh inning, lifting the St. Louis Cardinals to a 5-3 victory over the Arizona Diamondbacks on Monday night.

Lynn (10-8) allowed two runs on nine hits and induced three straight inning-ending double plays, including with the bases loaded in the fourth and fifth. Trevor Rosenthal gave up a run-scoring single to David Peralta in the ninth inning before closing out his 39th save.

Matt Carpenter hit a solo homer off Jhoulys Chacin (0-1) and the Cardinals broke open a tie game with a three-run seventh inning. The Cardinals, who have the best record in baseball, have won 10 of their last 11 games against Arizona.

Arizona's Wellington Castillo hit a solo homer, but flew out with the bases loaded to end the seventh.