ST. LOUIS (AP) -- Yadier Molina homered for the first time this season and John Lackey worked eight strong innings for the St. Louis Cardinals, who won their fourth in a row with a 3-2 victory over the Minnesota Twins on Monday night.Mark Reynolds connected three pitches ahead of Molina in the fourth, giving the Cardinals back-to-back homers.Randal Grichuk tripled, singled and scored for St. Louis, which is 42-21 overall and 25-7 at home - both major league bests. The Cardinals have won 15 of 20.Twins rookie Byron Buxton tripled for his first career hit with one out in the eighth and scored on a sacrifice fly by Brian Dozier that cut the gap to a run. Buxton also slammed into the wall, but didn't stay down long, after just missing a running catch on Grichuk's triple leading off the third. 
Molina dropped about 20 pounds in the offseason, reporting at 220 pounds, and his power profile has suffered. Manager Mike Matheny said before the game the lack of a long ball likely bothered Molina more than fans or teammates.He averaged 16 homers over a three-year period from 2011-13 before dropping off to seven last season.Lackey (5-4) bounced back smartly on six days' rest after getting torched for 10 earned runs in four innings at Colorado. Lackey, whose start was postponed a day by a rainout Sunday, allowed two runs on five hits with six strikeouts and a walk.Kevin Siegrist finished for his second save in three chances. Closer Trevor Rosenthal, who leads the NL with 21 saves, did not warm up.Twins rookie starter Trevor May (4-5) gave up a total of four homers his first 11 starts. He allowed three runs in five innings, ending a run of five consecutive starts of six or more.
Molina dropped about 20 pounds in the offseason, reporting at 220 pounds, and his power profile has suffered. Manager Mike Matheny said before the game the lack of a long ball likely bothered Molina more than fans or teammates.He averaged 16 homers over a three-year period from 2011-13 before dropping off to seven last season.Lackey (5-4) bounced back smartly on six days' rest after getting torched for 10 earned runs in four innings at Colorado. Lackey, whose start was postponed a day by a rainout Sunday, allowed two runs on five hits with six strikeouts and a walk.Kevin Siegrist finished for his second save in three chances. Closer Trevor Rosenthal, who leads the NL with 21 saves, did not warm up.Twins rookie starter Trevor May (4-5) gave up a total of four homers his first 11 starts. He allowed three runs in five innings, ending a run of five consecutive starts of six or more.
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