Cardinals 3, Brewers 2: John Lackey tossed seven solid innings to win his debut with his new team and A.J. Pierzynski and Oscar Taveras had back-to-back RBI singles in the seventh as host St. Louis claimed the rubber match of the three-game series.

Matt Holliday belted a solo homer to ignite the three-run seventh for the Cardinals, who moved to within one game of first-place Milwaukee in the National League Central. Matt Adams had two hits, including a double down the first-base line to lead off the fifth for St. Louis' first hit.

Mark Reynolds celebrated his 31st birthday by launching a solo homer and Aramis Ramirez had an RBI single in the first inning to extend his hitting streak to six games for the Brewers, who have dropped five of seven. Starter Matt Garza settled for a no-decision despite yielding just one hit over six scoreless frames before leaving with a left ribcage strain.

After Justin Masterson was victorious in his debut on Saturday, Lackey (12-7) recorded his 150th career win while pitching in his first start since being acquired from Boston at the trade deadline. The 35-year-old allowed two runs on seven hits and Pat Neshek retired the side in the eighth before Trevor Rosenthal struck out three and stranded a runner on second in the ninth for his majors-best 34th save.

With Milwaukee nursing a 2-0 lead, Holliday sent a 3-1 fastball from Zach Duke over the wall in center for his 12th homer. Adams followed with a single to bring in Jeremy Jeffress (0-1), who promptly allowed consecutive base hits to Jhonny Peralta and Pierzynski before Taveras fisted a shot to center to plate the go-ahead run.

GAME NOTEBOOK: Ramirez, who went 2-for-4, is 12-for-23 during his hitting streak and is 17-for-37 with two homers and nine RBIs versus the Cardinals this season. ... Reynolds had struck out eight times in 11 career at-bats versus Lackey before blasting his 19th homer. ... St. Louis wraps up a six-game homestand when it opens a three-game series versus Boston on Tuesday. Milwaukee opens a six-game stretch at home when it begins a three-game set against San Francisco on Tuesday.