Peppering San Diego pitching for nine hits in the first three innings, the Cardinals grabbed an early four-run lead in Game 1 of the National League wild-card series Wednesday at Petco Park in San Diego. But Cardinals starter Kwang Hyun Kim surrendered a run in each of the first three innings and the Cardinals' 6-3 lead didn't seem all that safe.
Dylan Carlson, Yadier Molina and Paul DeJong all hit safely in their first two at-bats. Paul Goldschmidt smacked a two-run homer to key a four-run first against replacement starter Chris Paddack of the Padres.
Matt Carpenter drove in a run in both the first and a two-run third, the latter inning featuring singles by Carpenter, Carlson and DeJong and a double by Molina.