ST. LOUIS (AP) -- John Lackey pitched seven strong innings and Matt Carpenter had two hits and drove in two runs, leading the Cardinals to a 7-4 victory Wednesday over the Milwaukee Brewers.St. Louis improved the best home record in the majors to 22-7 and won all three series during its nine-game homestand.The 36-year-old Lackey (4-3) scattered 10 hits, allowing three runs while striking out five and walking one. He is 4-1 in four career starts against Milwaukee. 
Lackey has gone 7-1 in 11 regular-season starts and one playoff outing at Busch Stadium since joining the Cardinals after a trade with Boston. Lackey is 4-1 in six starts at home this season.Trevor Rosenthal recorded his 17th save by getting the final two outs on a double play.Milwaukee's Jimmy Nelson (2-6) lasted five innings, giving up seven hits and seven runs (six earned). Nelson has allowed 20 runs and 23 hits in 14 2-3 innings and has taken the loss in all four of his appearances - three starts - against St. Louis since last season.The Cardinals scored five runs in the first. Jhonny Peralta and Mark Reynolds had RBI singles, and a run scored when third baseman Hector Gomez couldn't handle a grounder for an error.Nelson didn't record an out until his 23rd pitch and needed 29 pitches to get out of the inning.Gerardo Parra hit a solo homer, his first since May 15, in the third for the Brewers' first run. Parra was 4 for 5.Gomez left the game in the bottom of the sixth when he crashed into the seats behind third chasing a foul ball hit by Jason Heyward. He was examined by a physician for a possible concussion and the results were negative, a Brewers spokesman said.
Lackey has gone 7-1 in 11 regular-season starts and one playoff outing at Busch Stadium since joining the Cardinals after a trade with Boston. Lackey is 4-1 in six starts at home this season.Trevor Rosenthal recorded his 17th save by getting the final two outs on a double play.Milwaukee's Jimmy Nelson (2-6) lasted five innings, giving up seven hits and seven runs (six earned). Nelson has allowed 20 runs and 23 hits in 14 2-3 innings and has taken the loss in all four of his appearances - three starts - against St. Louis since last season.The Cardinals scored five runs in the first. Jhonny Peralta and Mark Reynolds had RBI singles, and a run scored when third baseman Hector Gomez couldn't handle a grounder for an error.Nelson didn't record an out until his 23rd pitch and needed 29 pitches to get out of the inning.Gerardo Parra hit a solo homer, his first since May 15, in the third for the Brewers' first run. Parra was 4 for 5.Gomez left the game in the bottom of the sixth when he crashed into the seats behind third chasing a foul ball hit by Jason Heyward. He was examined by a physician for a possible concussion and the results were negative, a Brewers spokesman said.
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