Yadier Molina homered leading off the third inning for his first RBI of the season, Tommy Edman hit a two-run single and another RBI single, and the St. Louis Cardinals beat the San Francisco Giants 7-1 Thursday night.

Edman singled in the fifth to back right-hander Miles Mikolas (2-1) and again in the Cardinals’ four-run seventh. Tyler O’Neill added a two-run single that inning, and Juan Yepez also singled home a run.

San Francisco loaded the bases with two out in the sixth to chase Mikolas, but Andre Pallante relieved and retired Jason Vosler on a groundout.

Mikolas allowed one run on seven hits, struck out three and walked three over 5 2/3 innings. The right-hander received run support for the first time in four starts.

Zack Littell (0-1) relieved opener Mauricio Llovera and surrendered Molina’s first home run of the year. It was the St. Louis star’s 999th career RBI and snapped a career-long stretch of 15 games to start a season without driving in a run — his previous being 10 games.

Molina’s 172nd career home run also tied Hall of Famer Ted Simmons for ninth on the Cardinals’ career list.

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RHP Jordan Hicks (1-2, 3.65 ERA) pitches for St. Louis in the second game of the four-game weekend series Friday opposite RHP Alex Cobb (1-1, 5.40), who is trying to end a two-start winless stretch since his victory April 12 against the Padres. Game time is 9:15 central.