ST. LOUIS (AP) — Tyler Anderson pitched six shutout innings, Gavin Lux hit a two-run homer and the Los Angeles Dodgers beat the St. Louis Cardinals 4-0 on Thursday night.
Anderson (10-1) scattered three hits, struck out four and walked two while needing just 88 pitches to get through six innings. It was the first career victory against St. Louis for Anderson, who entered 0-2 with a 7.90 ERA in three previous starts, all as a member of the Colorado Rockies.
“He did a really good job,” Dodgers catcher Will Smith said of Anderson. “He’s mixing really well with his pitches. Also, you know, his timing, his delivery. He just executed pitches.”
It was Anderson’s first appearance against the Cardinals since 2018. He said those previous numbers were a bit skewed.
“It’s a different lineup over there, too,” Anderson said. “It’s just one of those things that, you know no matter what it is, you’ve got to out there, throw strikes, you know, execute your game plan.”
Yency Almonte, Evan Phillips and Craig Kimbrel each pitched an inning of scoreless relief to finish the combined five-hitter.
The Dodgers won for the 13th time in their last 15 games. They improved to 9½ games ahead of San Diego for first place in the National League West after being tied with the Padres on June 22.
Freddie Freeman singled in the first and doubled in the fourth to continue his torrid hitting streak. He has 14 hits in his last 17 at-bats and has reached base 17 times in his last 20 plate appearances.
“It just feels like I’m recognizing strikes and I’m hitting the strikes,” Freeman said. “I’m not fouling really any pitches off. When I swing, I hit it, and I’m swinging at good pitches right now.”
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said Freeman is as good a player…