Paul Goldschmidt homered, Richie Palacios hit a two-run single and the St. Louis Cardinals beat the New York Mets 7-3 on Sunday to avert a four-game series sweep.

Goldschmidt finished with three hits and three RBIs as St. Louis stopped a four-game slide. Tommy Edman, Alec Burleson and rookie Masyn Winn each had two hits.

Cardinals right-hander Dakota Hudson (5-0) struck out seven in 5 1/3 innings. He allowed two runs and and five hits in his fourth straight win.

Goldschmidt drilled a two-run homer off Carlos Carrasco in fifth inning, lifting the Cardinals to a 3-2 lead. It was Goldschmidt’s 20th homer.

Goldschmidt had three or more hits for the eighth time this season.

St. Louis added four more runs in the seventh. Willson Contreras singled in Goldschmidt, and Jordan Walker doubled home Nolan Arenado. Palacios capped the big inning with his two-run single.

Palacios also made a big defensive play to end the second, reaching over the fence in center to take a home run away from DJ Stewart.

Carrasco (3-7) was charged with three runs and nine hits in four innings.

UP NEXT

Cardinals: LHP Drew Rom will start the first game of a three-game series on Monday in Pittsburgh. Rom, who was acquired from Baltimore at the trade deadline as part of the Jack Flaherty deal, will be making his major debut. The Pirates have yet to name a starter.