Daniel Ponce de Leon had not been the winning pitcher in his first 19 big-league starts and that includes his first one in which he pitched seven no-hit innings in his big-league debut at Cincinnati in 2018 before Bud Norris blew the save in the ninth inning.
But, after getting two no-decisions in his past two starts this month when he struck out 18 in 11 innings, Ponce de Leon finally broke through Friday night when the Cardinals most needed it,
Their grip on second place in the National League Central Division had become more tenuous after a 3-0 first-game loss by ace Jack Flaherty to the Milwaukee Brewers.