Cardinals righthander Carlos Martinez, up to the challenge of his first opening night start, struck out nine in the first six innings Sunday night, including reigning National League MVP Kris Bryant three times in a row.
He was working on a streak of 10 straight Chicago Cubs retired as the Cardinals clung to a 1-0 lead into the home sixth at Busch Stadium.
The Cubs’ last hit had been Kyle Schwarber’s two-out double in the third.
Martinez had a chance to help himself in the sixth when he batted with the bases loaded against Cubs reliever Carl Edwards Jr.