Taylor Ward capped a four-run first inning with a three-run homer, Patrick Sandoval combined with three relievers on a four-hitter and the Los Angeles Angels beat St. Louis 5-1 Tuesday night to extend the Cardinals’ losing streak to four.

St. Louis (10-20), facing the Angels for the first time in four years, has lost eight of its last 10 games and is 0-10 in series openers.

On a night when Shohei Ohtani was given his second game off of the season, Mike Trout walked against Steven Matz (0-4) with one out in the first, Hunter Renfroe singled and Anthony Rendon hit a go-ahead single.

With two outs, Ward hit a 2-2 changeup over the left-field wall for his fourth homer this season and a 4-0 lead.

Rookie Zach Neto added an RBI single in the sixth off Drew VerHagen.

Matz allowed four runs, four hits and two walks in five innings.

UP NEXT

RHP Ohtani (4-0, 1.85 ERA) will make his first career pitching appearance against the Cardinals Wednesday night. He will be opposed by RHP Miles Mikolas (1-1, 5.97 ERA), who is 1-2 with a 3.07 ERA in four two starts and two relief appearances against the Angels.