Goldschmidt’s homer lifts Cards over Royals

ST. LOUIS (AP) » Taking a day off isn’t high on a list of favorite things for Paul Goldschmidt, but the St. Louis first baseman knows it can help.

Goldschmidt hit an early home run and Steven Matz and the Cardinals bullpen made it stand up Monday in a 1-0 win over the Kansas City Royals.

Goldschmidt, who got his first day off of the season Sunday, connected with one out in the first inning against Zack Greinke.

“It’s nice to relax and come in fresh today,” Goldschmidt said. “It’s a long-term benefit. We’re in the middle of 20 in a row and 30 of 31, so it was a great time for it.”

“Off days are important but as a competitor, you want to keep going. Earlier in my career, I’d fight the manager more. It’s a long season. I want to stay fresh and play well,” he said.

It was the 71st career homer in the first inning for Goldschmidt and that ranks third among active players. Teammate Albert Pujols is first with 154.

“It was a bad pitch to him,” Greinke said.

The Royals lost their fourth in a row overall, and have dropped 21 of their last 28 to St. Louis dating to Aug. 7, 2017. This game was a makeup from a rainout on April 13 — the I-70 interleague series continues Tuesday and Wednesday in Kansas City.

It was the third time the Royals have been shut out this season and it was their second 1-0 loss.

“It’s a shame to lose such a great start and not give him any support,” Kansas City manager Mike Matheny said. “Really it was just one pitch. We say that a lot but he executed pitches all day long. One slider didn’t do what he wanted it to do. It’s not often one pitch beats you but he did it to the wrong hitter.”

Matz (3-1) scattered four hits, including a pair of doubles, in six innings. He walked none, hit a batter and struck out four.

Matz had allowed five runs over his previous three starts, spanning 14 2/3 innings, after yielding seven in his Cardinals debut on April 10.

“I felt really good,” Matz said. “I didn’t labor out there. I stayed with my stuff and kept my rhythm.”

St. Louis relievers Kodi Whitley, Nick Wittgren and Giovanny Gallegos were equally sharp, each pitching an inning in the combined fivehitter. Gallegos gave up a two-out single in the ninth but picked up his fifth save in six chances.

It was the fourth shutout this season for the Cardinals.

Greinke (0-2) gave up three hits in six innings. The 18-year veteran made the 493rd start of his career and didn’t walk anyone with one strikeout.

“My last starts have been my best,” Greinke said. “I hope to get a little bit crisper.”

Carlos Santana had two of the Royals’ five hits. The Cardinals managed just four hits.

LUMBER SLUMBER

Of the 18 players who got an at-bat in his game, half of them — nine — now have a batting average of .196 or lower this season.