A Masyn Winn triple in the seventh inning was the difference in the St Louis Cardinals’ 2-1 win Thursday, May 7 at Petco Park over the San Diego Padres.

It was the second extra-bases hit in the inning, as Jordan Walker reached with his lead-off double. Winn’s triple to right field brought Walker home for the winning run. Despite Bradgley Rodriguez stemming the damage with a strikeout of Nathan Church and getting Pedro Pagés to ground out, he would take the loss with his lone inning on the mound. Meanwhile, Matthew Liberatore locked in after allowing a run in the first off a walk and two singles, getting out of the jam with a successful pickoff at first. He would only allow one more hit and two walks after that, striking out six to get the win. Two double plays also aided in the effort to tamp down the Padres offense. An Alec Burleson home run in the fourth tied the game up.

Riley O’Brien secured his 11th save of the season, striking out one batter in the ninth. He’s now in a tie with Padres closer Mason Miller atop the season standings for saves. Padres starter Michael King also went six innings in a no-decision, with Burleson’s home run his only hit allowed. He also struck out six while allowing two walks.

The Cardinals (22-15) kept pace with the Cubs and remain 3.5 games behind Chicago for the NL Central lead. Michael McGreevy gets the start for St Louis on Friday evening against Griffin Canning, with first pitch at 8:45 p.m.