Cardinals 6, Padres 2: Shelby Miller tossed six solid innings and Matt Holliday ripped the go-ahead two-run single in the third as visiting St. Louis salvaged the finale of a three-game series.

Oscar Taveras belted a two-run homer and Peter Bourjos had an RBI single for the Cardinals, who acquired John Lackey from Boston and cash considerations for fellow right-hander Joe Kelly and outfielder/first baseman Allen Craig prior to the contest. St. Louis won for just the third time in nine outings to move within two games of National League Central-leading Milwaukee heading into a pivotal three-game series in the Gateway City this weekend.

Jedd Gyorko and Will Venable each homered for the second straight game for the Padres, who mustered just three hits after tying a season high with 16 in their 12-1 triumph on Wednesday. Rene Rivera added a two-out double in the fifth as San Diego fell for the fourth time in six outings.

After the teams flexed their muscles by going deep three times in the second inning, Holliday gave the Cardinals a 4-2 lead in the third with a single to left off rookie Odrisamer Despaigne (2-3). Matt Carpenter and Kolten Wong came around to score on that exchange before Bourjos' RBI single and Carpenter's bases-loaded walk doubled the advantage in the sixth.

Miller (8-8) overcame two homers in the second and allowed just one more hit while striking out five to pick up the win. Three relievers preserved the victory while Despaigne permitted six runs on nine hits in 5 2/3 innings to take the loss.

GAME NOTEBOOK: San Diego traded Chris Denorfia to Seattle for fellow OF Abraham Almonte and RHP Stephen Kohlscheen prior to the game. ... Carpenter had two hits to improve to 13-for-32 in his last eight contests. ... Gyorko went 1-for-3 on Thursday to improve to 7-for-14 since coming off the disabled list for the Padres, who wrap up a six-game homestand by opening a three-game set versus Atlanta on Friday.