Jake Westbrook tossed eight scoreless innings and Yadier Molina hit a two-run single as the St. Louis Cardinals snapped a three-game losing streak with a 4-0 triumph over the San Diego Padres.

Jon Jay went 3-for-4 with two runs scored and Matt Holliday collected two hits and an RBI for the Cardinals, who climbed within seven games of first-place Cincinnati in the National League Central.

Westbrook (2-3) limited the Padres to six singles and a walk en route to his first victory in six starts. The right-hander struck out three in improving to 2-1 lifetime with a 0.55 ERA in three games against San Diego.

St. Louis gave Westbrook an early lead as Jay hit a one-out double in the first inning and scored on Holliday's single two batters later. Westbrook worked out of jams in each of the next three frames and the Cardinals gave him breathing room with three runs in the sixth.

Skip Schumaker drew a leadoff walk from Tim Stauffer and Jay singled before Albert Pujols delivered an RBI double. Later in the inning, Molina singled off reliever Ryan Webb to plate two and give St. Louis a 4-0 bulge.

Stauffer (4-4) lost for the first time in four starts this season, surrendering four runs and six hits in five innings. The 28-year old, who walked two and struck out two, fell to 0-4 with a 9.33 ERA in four career outings against the Cardinals.

Chase Headley recorded two hits for San Diego, which has lost 10 straight games at Busch Stadium.