Paul Goldschmidt and Nolan Arenado hit two-run homers as the Cardinals beat the Milwaukee Brewers 5-4 on Wednesday night and moved into sole possession of first place in the NL Central. Since Goldschmidt and Arenado became teammates in 2021, the Cardinals have gone 5-0 when they've homered in the same game.

The Cardinals have taken two straight from the Brewers after falling 2-0 in the opener of the four-game series.

St. Louis trailed 4-3 before Arenado's sixth-inning drive to left-center - his 14th homer of the season - put the Cardinals ahead for good. Goldschmidt went deep to left in the first inning for his 17th homer.

The Cardinals' bullpen once again took over from there.

Over the last two games, Cardinals relievers have allowed just three walks and one hit while pitching 10 1/3 scoreless innings. The Cardinals' bullpen was dominant Wednesday at less than full strength after both Giovanny Gallegos and Ryan Helsley had pitched two innings a night earlier.

Genesis Cabrera pitched the final two innings to earn his third career save, and first since 2020. Johan Oviedo (1-1) got his first career win with 2 1/3 innings of perfect relief and said he was in tears after the game.

Oviedo came in with runners on third and second with two outs in the fifth after Andrew McCutchen's ground-rule double had given the Brewers a 4-3 lead. Oviedo got out of the jam and then retired the side in order in the sixth and seventh innings.

Milwaukee threatened with two outs in the ninth as Victor Caratini walked and Tyrone Taylor was hit by a pitch, but Cabrera ended the game by retiring Christian Yelich on a grounder to second.

The Cardinals' bullpen picked up the slack after Wainwright allowed four runs and seven hits in 4 2/3 innings, the second-shortest of his 14 appearances this season. Wainwright gave up solo homers to Rowdy Tellez and McCutchen.

The homers by Arenado and Goldschmidt came against Eric Lauer (6-3), who worked six innings and gave up five runs while striking out five and walking one. Lauer has allowed eight homers over his last three starts.

Goldschmidt was back in the Cardinals' lineup after sitting out a 6-2 victory Tuesday due to back tightness. The Cardinals used Goldschmidt as a designated hitter rather than putting him at first base because they wanted to keep him off his feet as much as possible.

Dakota Hudson (5-3, 3.31 ERA) starts for the Cardinals and Jason Alexander (1-0, 2.42) pitches for the Brewers as this four-game series concludes with a Thursday afternoon matchup of right-handers.