Cards hold off Rox, tighten grip on WC lead

Tyler O’Neill and Miles Mikolas each homered to help the Cardinals jump out to a seven-run lead and beat the Rockies, 7-5, on Friday in the series opener. The Cardinals bullpen threw 4 1/3 scoreless innings to help St. Louis win its fourth in a row and ninth straight on the road. Charlie Blackmon and Nolan Arenado each homered for the Rockies, who trail the Cardinals by 1 1/2 games for the first Wild Card spot.