Adam Wainwright pitched seven spotless innings with longtime catcher Yadier Molina back behind the plate, and the St. Louis Cardinals beat the Chicago Cubs 6-0 on Tuesday night.

Paul Goldschmidt homered and drove in three runs to lead the St. Louis offense. Dylan Carlson, the subject of trade speculation before Tuesday’s deadline, hit a two-run shot and made a nice catch in center field. Nolan Arenado also went deep.

Molina returned from knee inflammation that had sidelined him since June 16. Paired once again with Wainwright, the two 40-year-olds teamed up to shut down Chicago.

Wainwright (8-8) allowed six hits and struck out four in his 192nd career win. Molina flashed his Gold Glove form by throwing out Rafael Ortega attempting to steal second in the first inning.

Wainwright and Molina made their 317th career start as batterymates, passing the Boston/Milwaukee Braves duo of Warren Spahn and Del Crandall for sole possession of second place in major league history since 1901. The only pair in front is Mickey Lolich and Bill Freehan (324) of the Detroit Tigers (1963-75).

Molina last caught Wainwright on June 11 against Cincinnati. Wainwright made eight starts without Molina behind the plate from June 17 to July 27, going 2-4 with a 3.93 ERA.

Molina caught his 153rd career shutout. That’s second only to Yogi Berra (173) in MLB history.

Goldschmidt drove in two runs in the third with a single.

A three-run fifth put St. Louis up 5-0. Carlson’s homer came after Tommy Edman led off with a walk. With one out, Goldschmidt hit his 25th homer.

Arenado added his 20th home run with two outs in the seventh.

Cubs starter Keegan Thompson (8-5) gave up five runs and 10 hits in 4 2/3 innings.

UP NEXT

The Cubs will send LHP Justin Steele (4-7, 3.86 ERA) to face RHP Miles Mikolas (8-8, 2.86) as the series continues today. Game time is at 6:45 p.m. at Busch Stadium.