Responsible for the Cardinals’ first run in their Monday loss against the Athletics, designated hitter Ivan Herrera provided the Cardinals with a lift Tuesday that helped elevate his team to a win backed by strong relief.

The 25-year-old slugger did so in thunderous fashion.

Down by a run with two outs in the sixth inning, Herrera belted a two-run homer to give the Cardinals the 2-1 lead that relievers. The home provided the Cardinals with their first lead since taking a lead in the first inning on Sunday in a road loss against the Cincinnati Reds.

The one-run lead proved to be enough as it was held tight by relievers Matt Svanson and JoJo Romero.

In relief of starter Miles Mikolas after he threw six innings and allowed one run on a double in the third inning, Svanson turned in two sco

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