SAN DIEGO -- Oscar Taveras hit a two-run home run and Shelby Miller settled down after a rough start as the Cardinals avoided a sweep Thursday afternoon with a 6-2 victory over the Padres in front of a crowd of 28,820 at Petco Park.Taveras' home run, his second of the season, came in the second inning off Padres starter Odrisamer Despaigne. Teammate Matt Holliday added a two-run single in the third inning. 
Miller (8-8) allowed two home runs -- both in the second inning -- but not much else. He allowed the two runs on three hits with no walks and five strikeouts in six innings.With the victory, the Cardinals improved to 57-50.Despaigne (2-3) allowed six runs on nine hits with one walk and three strikeouts in 5 2/3 innings. It was the first time the rookie has allowed more than two earned runs in a start.The Padres, who won the first two games of the series, got solo home runs from Jedd Gyorko and Will Venable, but little else. For Gyorko, it was his second home run in as many days. He has knocked in six runs in the last three games.Corey Brock / MLB.com
Miller (8-8) allowed two home runs -- both in the second inning -- but not much else. He allowed the two runs on three hits with no walks and five strikeouts in six innings.With the victory, the Cardinals improved to 57-50.Despaigne (2-3) allowed six runs on nine hits with one walk and three strikeouts in 5 2/3 innings. It was the first time the rookie has allowed more than two earned runs in a start.The Padres, who won the first two games of the series, got solo home runs from Jedd Gyorko and Will Venable, but little else. For Gyorko, it was his second home run in as many days. He has knocked in six runs in the last three games.Corey Brock / MLB.com
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