SAN DIEGO (AP) - Shelby Miller and three relievers combined on a three-hitter, and Oscar Taveras hit a two-run homer for the St. Louis Cardinals, who beat the San Diego Padres 6-2 Thursday to avoid a three-game sweep.
The Cardinals acquired right-hander John Lackey from Boston just before the trade deadline to bolster their rotation. They open a series Friday against NL Central-leading Milwaukee on Friday in St. Louis.
Miller (8-8) held San Diego to two runs and three hits in six innings, struck out five and walked none. He earned his first win since June 7.
St. Louis roughed up San Diego rookie Odrisamer Despaigne a day after playing what manager Mike Matheny called the team's ugliest loss of the season, a 12-1 defeat Wednesday night.
Taveras' homer to right with two outs in the second, his second, gave St. Louis a 2-0 lead that didn't last long.
Jedd Gyorko, on a tear since returning Monday from a 44-day stay on the disabled list, homered to right off Miller with one out in the second. It was Gyorko's second in two games and seventh overall. Will Venable homered to right with two outs, his fifth.
Matt Holliday singled with one out in the third to bring in Matt Carpenter, who hit a leadoff single, and Kolten Wong, who doubled.
Peter Bourjos hit an RBI single with two outs in the sixth followed by a single by Miller that chased Despaigne. Carpenter drew a bases-loaded walk off Blaine Boyer.
Despaigne (2-3) allowed six runs and nine hits in 5 2-3 innings, struck out three and walked one. He won his first two starts but is 0-3 in his last five starts.
TRADES
Cardinals: St. Louis got Lackey in exchange for RHP Joe Kelly and OF Allen Craig. Lackey's first start with the Cardinals will come during a series against his former Red Sox teammates in St. Louis Tuesday through Thursday.
Padres: Sent OF Chris Denorfia to Seattle for OF Abraham Almonte, who will report to San Diego Friday, and RHP Stephen Kohlscheen, who will report to Triple-A El Paso. Almonte was Seattle's opening day starter in CF.
ON DECK
Cardinals: Adam Wainwright (13-5, 1.92) opens home series vs. Milwaukee. Is 10-6 with 2.19 ERA in 20 career starts, 27 appearances, vs. Brewers.
Padres: Eric Stults (3-13, 5.22) opens three-game series against Braves. Has won only once in last 13 starts.
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