Cardinals 5, Cubs 2: Yadier Molina drove in two runs and scored another while Shelby Miller worked five scoreless innings before leaving for precautionary reasons as St. Louis claimed the opener of a four-game series with visiting Chicago.

Miller (8-4) limited the Cubs to two hits and struck out five before leaving with cramping in his right leg. Edward Mujica stranded a pair of inherited runners in the eighth inning and locked down his 20th save after allowing a solo homer to Darwin Barney in the ninth in a contest that was delayed one hour, 59 minutes by rain before starting.

Cubs starter Travis Wood (5-6) took the loss despite recording his 13th quality start in 14 outings this season. He was charged with four runs - three earned - on seven hits over seven innings.

Molina broke a scoreless tie with a double into the gap in right-center in the fourth and scored the third run on a controversial play in the seventh. With runners at second and third, Cubs third baseman Luis Valbuena made a diving stab to his left on Pete Kozma's grounder, but his throw to first was in the dirt.

First baseman Anthony Rizzo made an errant throw to the plate and Molina broke for home where Wood was waiting to apply the tag, but Molina was called safe. Pinch hitter Shane Robinson followed with a sacrifice fly to make it 4-0.

GAME NOTEBOOK: Cubs manager Dale Sveum was ejected by home plate umpire D.J. Reyburn in the seventh after disputing the play at the plate on which Molina was called safe. Replays appeared to show Molina was out. … Cubs RF Nate Schierholtz extended his hitting streak to a career-best nine games with an RBI single in the eighth. … Cardinals RHP Trevor Rosenthal allowed the Cubs' only run, ending a streak of 20 appearances without an earned run since April 24.