ST. LOUIS (Interstat) — The Arizona Diamondbacks erupted for six runs in the fourth inning and defeated the St. Louis Cardinals 9-4 on Wednesday at Busch Stadium III.

Arizona (41-39) sent 10 batters to the plate in the fourth, getting a two-run double from Ildemaro Vargas and a two-run homer from LuJames Groover. Tommy Troy also doubled in a run in the frame. The Diamondbacks added two runs in the seventh on a double by Tommy Troy and a double by Lourdes Gurriel Jr., then scored again in the eighth on a sacrifice fly by Gabriel Moreno.

St. Louis (42-36) took a brief lead in the second on a solo homer by José Fermín. Blaze Jordan drove in three runs, including a sacrifice fly in the fourth and an RBI single in the ninth. The Cardinals scored twice in the ninth but could not complete a comeback.

Ryan Thompson (3-1) earned the win with two innings of relief, allowing one run. Matthew Liberatore (3-5) took the loss. Attendance was 22,376, and the game lasted 2:54.

Arizona took the series opener after dropping the first two games. The teams play the series finale Thursday.