The Cardinals hit San Francisco starter Matt Cain hard in the first inning and jumped out to a 1-0 lead that would be larger if not for a spectacular catch by Giants center fielder Juan Perez.
Yadier Molina, occupying the No. 4 spot in the order, singled to score Jhonny Peralta, who lined a double off the right-center field wall with two outs.
The second out was recorded when Perez climbed the wall in right center as if there were steps attached and caught Stephen Piscotty's would-be home run before it could hit the narrow row of bushes that separate the top of the wall from the bleachers.