Steven Matz allowed a run over five solid innings for his first victory of the year as the visiting St. Louis Cardinals won their sixth straight game, beating the Chicago Cubs 7-2 on Thursday night.

Meanwhile, rookie Jordan Walker‘s two-run homer highlighted a fourth inning for St. Louis in which they tallied four runs.

Paul DeJong also clubbed a two-run homer and All-Star third baseman Nolan Arenado had a two-run double for the Cardinals. With their victory on Thursday night, they have won nine of 11 and totaled 46 runs while going 6-1 since the All-Star break.

It’s a vast improvement for St. Louis, who are slowly but surely climbing their way up the National League Central standings.

For the Cubs, Marcus Stroman had another rough outing. Following allowing six runs, three earned, in 3 1/3 innings against St. Louis in London on June 25, Stroman (10-7) again failed to complete four innings vs. the Cardinals.

(Image: David Banks-USA TODAY Sports)