Cubs 11, Cardinals 4

Hero: Starlin Castro went 4-for-4 with a triple, scored three times, and drove in three to break out of his slump and pace the Cubs' 17-hit attack. It was his third four-hit effort of the season.

Goat: Jeff Samardzija's streak of 15 scoreless innings came to a screeching halt when St. Louis erupted for three runs in the seventh inning - but the Cubs still led 10-4.

Key Play: Three runs were already home in the bottom of the third when Castro, with runners at second and third, greeted Cardinals reliever Jason Motte with a single that rolled past center fielder Colby Rasmus for an error. Both runners scored and Castro cruised into third as the ball rolled to the wall. The Cubs led 5-1.

Comment: Matt Garza (2-4) claimed his first win in his fifth Wrigley Field start, striking out seven over five innings. He allowed three hits and three walks

Next: A victory Thursday (CSN, 1:20 p.m.) would give the Cubs (16-19) a much-needed series victory over the first-place Cardinals (21-16). Casey Coleman (1-2, 6.29 ERA) will oppose St. Louis left-hander Jaime Garcia (4-0, 1.99).Will Jeff Baker (.464 vs. southpaws) start in right field or first base?