Kansas City, MO (Sports Network) - Blake Hawksworth worked five-plus innings in his second big league start and was supported by home runs from Colby Rasmus and Skip Schumaker in the Cardinals 5-3 win over Kansas City in the middle contest of the interleague series between the I-70 rivals.
Hawksworth (2-4) was charged with two runs -- one earned -- on two hits, while issuing one walk and striking out one for St. Louis, which stopped a two-game slide. Ryan Franklin got the last four outs to record his 15th save.
Kyle Davis (4-6) absorbed the loss after yielding five runs -- four earned -- on six hits over seven innings, while walking one and fanning two for the Royals, who have lost six of their last eight.
David DeJesus went 3-for-4 with a run scored and two runs driven in for Kansas City, which slipped to 5-7 in games decided by two runs.
The Cardinals broke up a scoreless game on Rasmus' three-run homer to right with one out in the fourth.
Schumaker made it a 5-0 game with a two-run home run to right with one out in the fifth.
Mitch Maier drew a leadoff walk and a Schumaker fielding error put runners at first and second base with nobody out in the sixth and brought Trever Miller on to replace Hawksworth.
Mike Aviles singled with one out to load the bases for DeJesus, who singled into right field to drive in a pair to cut the lead to 5-2 and knock Miller out of the game.
Jason Motte took over and got Billy Butler to ground into an inning-ending double play.
Butler's single put runners at first and second with two outs in the eighth and chased Kyle McClellan from the game. Franklin came on and gave up a run- scoring single to Jose Guillen that trimmed the lead to 5-3 before Alberto Callaspo fouled out to end the frame.
Franklin then retired the side in order in the ninth to end the game.
Ryan Ludwick was not in the starting lineup for the Cardinals due to a sore left calf...Schumaker's long ball was his first since April 21 at Arizona. The Redbirds improved to 9-5 in interleague play this season, while the Royals dipped to 7-10...St. Louis leads the all-time series 34-25, including a 22-13 mark in Kansas City...Albert Pujols, who went 1-for-4, has reached base with a hit or walk in all 29 games he has played in against the Royals...Davis fell to 4-9 in interleague play and 1-4 against the Cardinals...Guillen extended his hitting streak to 20 games, during which he has collected 29 hits...Kansas City has had 38 of its 75 games this season decided by two runs or less...Royals Hall of Famer George Brett threw out the first pitch prior to the game.