(PHOTO CREDIT: AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

For the second game in a row, the Cardinals’ offense absolutely exploded. And now they enter the middle of the week riding a three-game winning streak.

Alec Burleson hit a two-run homer in the seventh inning, and catcher Pedro Pagés had a three-run double for his first MLB hit, helping the Cardinals defeat the Angels 7-6 on Tuesday night.

Burleson also had three hits as he homered for the fourth time in 16 games after not having one in his first 19. Nolan Arenado led off the seventh with a base hit before Burleson connected on Angels’ starter Amir Garrett‘s slider and drove it over the right-field wall, giving the Cardinals the lead yet again.

Starter Sonny Gray notched nine strikeouts in six innings, but also allowed five runs on eight hits. The Angels were able to comeback from a 5-0 deficit with Gray still in the game.

Enter the Cardinals’ bullpen.

JoJo Romero went full count to five straight batters; the Angels had the bases loaded with one out, and could not score. In the ninth inning, Ryan Helsley entered the game and picked up his 13th save.

FOR TOMORROW

St. Louis sends veteran right-hander Lance Lynn (1-1, 3.79 ERA) up against Los Angeles’ RHP Griffin Canning (1-4, 5.75 ERA) in the series finale.