Solarte, Wallace homer; Jankowski has big debut for Padres

SAN DIEGO (AP) Travis Jankowski stepped into the batter's box against John Lackey for his first big league at-bat.

Two pitches later, he singled up the middle.

He hit an RBI single in his next at-bat, came around to score on Yangervis Solarte's two-run home run in the crazy five-run fifth.

It was quite the night for Jankowski, 24, who helped the San Diego Padres to a 9-3 victory against the St. Louis Cardinals on Friday night.

''It was a great experience and something I'll never forget,'' said Jankowski, who was called up Tuesday after outfielder Will Venable was traded to Texas. ''I think for the most part, it's still surreal.''

Jankowski, who started the season in Double-A, became the ninth player in franchise history to record two or more hits in his big league debut, and the fourth with two or more hits and one RBI.

His parents, girlfriend, grandfather, sister, brother and their spouses were at the game.

Matt Kemp and pinch-hitter Brett Wallace each had a two-run homer in the eighth for San Diego, which won its fourth straight game and sixth in seven. Kemp also had a single and extended his hitting streak to 13 games. It was his 15th homer and Wallace's third.

The Cardinals, who still have the best record in the majors at 77-44, committed three errors in the fifth behind Lackey (10-8), who allowed four hits, a walk and a wild pitch in that frame.

The carnage for the Cardinals in the fifth started when Andrew Cashner (5-12) bunted to advance Alexi Amarista, who opened with a single.

First baseman Mark Reynolds fielded the ball near the bag and tried for a reverse double play, but his throw sailed into left field.

Stephen Piscotty's throw to third base sailed into the Cardinals' dugout, allowing Amarista to score and Cashner to take third. Jankowski, batting ninth behind Cashner, singled to left to bring in the pitcher for his first career RBI.

Solarte then homered to right to bring in Jankowski for his first MLB run. It was Solarte's third homer in as many games and 10th overall.

Yonder Alonso walked and advanced on a wild pitch before Kemp struck out for the first out. Justin Upton singled for his 600th career RBI.

Jankowski singled off Lackey in the third inning.

''He didn't want to fall behind 2-0 and I got a good pitch to hit. You're excited, you're happy. You're emotional is the best way to put it,'' he said.

''I had some butterflies. But, honestly, if not for the guys in the clubhouse, I would have been more nervous.''

Said Cashner: ''Coming up with two knocks in his first two at-bats was pretty fun to watch.''

Cashner held St. Louis to one run, unearned, and four hits in six innings while striking out eight and walking two.

Lackey allowed five runs, four earned, and nine hits in six innings. He struck out seven and walked one.

He clearly was unhappy about the defense in the fifth inning.

''There's a lot of things I want to say,'' he said.

Asked how he'd describe the inning, he said: ''Nope, you watched it. First couple of innings I felt as good as I have felt all year. It came down to that fifth inning. I struck out the side that inning. I felt pretty good.''

Yadier Molina hit an RBI single in the first and St. Louis pulled to 5-3 in the seventh after Piscotty hit a sacrifice fly and Tommy Pham an RBI triple.

Johnny Peralta had three hits for St. Louis.

TRAINER'S ROOM

Cardinals: RF Jason Heyward was a late addition to the lineup, after proving his hamstring was fine.

Padres: RHP Brandon Morrow had season-ending shoulder surgery on Wednesday.

UP NEXT

Cardinals: RHP Carlos Martinez (12-5, 2.78) is scheduled to start Saturday night. He got a no-decision in St. Louis' 2-1 victory against the Padres on July 4. Cardinals are 18-4 in his 22 starts this season.

Padres: RHP Ian Kennedy (7-11, 4.20) lost 3-1 to the Cardinals on July 5.