Tyler O'Neill hit two homers and drove in three runs as the St. Louis Cardinals defeated the visiting Cleveland Indians 8-2 Wednesday to snap a six-game losing streak.

Matt Carpenter hit a three-run double and Paul Goldschmidt added a solo homer for the Cardinals, who had lost eight of their past nine games and 12 of their past 18.

Winning pitcher Adam Wainwright (4-5) allowed two first-inning runs before settling in to allow just one baserunner in the next six innings -- when he hit Bradley Zimmer with a pitch in the fifth. Wainwright allowed just three hits, struck out six and didn't walk a batter in seven innings.

Relievers Genesis Cabrera and Ryan Helsley retired the Indians in order in the last two innings.

Indians starting pitcher Jean Carlos Mejia (1-1) also struggled in the first inning, but he did not survive the frame. The rookie retired just two batters and allowed four runs on three hits and two walks.

The Indians took a quick 2-0 lead. Cesar Hernandez led off the game with a double down the right field line. Amed Rosario reached on an infield single, Eddie Rosario hit a one-out RBI double, and Harold Ramirez hit a sacrifice fly.

The Cardinals answered in a big way in the bottom of the inning. Tommy Edman hit a leadoff double, Nolan Arenado drew a two-out walk and O'Neill hit an infield single to load the bases.

Yadier Molina walked to force home a run, and Carpenter ripped his double into the right field corner to clear the bases and end Mejia's night.

The Cardinals pushed their lead 6-2 in the third inning off reliever Phil Maton. Arenado smacked a double into the left field corner, and O'Neill crushed a two-run homer deep into the left field stands.

Goldschmidt and O'Neill hit solo homers off reliever Trevor Stephan in the seventh inning to push the lead to 8-2.

--Field Level Media