Wainwright gets the best of Arizona

PHOENIX -- Adam Wainwright helped himself by doubling in two runs and Troy Glaus hit one of St. Louis’ three home runs Tuesday night in an 8-2 victory over the Arizona Diamondbacks.

Yadier Molina and Felipe Lopez hit consecutive home runs to give Wainwright an early 5-0 lead. That made it seven home runs in two games for the Cardinals against the Diamondbacks.

Arizona’s National League West lead over the second-place Dodgers was sliced to 1 1/2 games. St. Louis is 5 1/2 back of Milwaukee in the wild-card race.

Wainwright (8-3), in his third start since returning from 2 1/2 months on the disabled list, shut out the Diamondbacks before giving up a run in the sixth inning. He struck out seven, walked two and gave up three hits in 5 1/3 innings.

Glaus, two for 13 through four games of a six-game trip, was moved up to the No. 2 spot in the batting order, just ahead of Albert Pujols, by Manager Tony La Russa to try to get him going.