ST. LOUIS (AP) - Fernando Romero struck out nine in six innings in his second straight scoreless start to begin his major league career, leading Minnesota to its season-high fourth straight win.
The Twins have won 13 of their last 16 games against National League opponents dating to last year.
St. Louis had its season-best five-game winning streak snapped, one night after finishing a weekend sweep of the rival Cubs at nearly 1 a.m.
Romero (2-0) permitted just three hits while throwing 97 pitches. The 23-year-old right-hander tossed 5 2/3 scoreless innings in his debut last week, a win over Toronto.
Romero got a lift from left fielder Eddie Rosario, who reached over the wall in the first inning to catch a possible two-run homer for St. Louis' Dexter Fowler.
John Gant (1-1) gave up six hits and four runs in 5 1/3 innings for the Cardinals.
Copyright © 2018 TTWN Media Networks LLC