Cardinals starter Wainwright goes six innings in 4-1 win over Rockies

ST. LOUIS -- Adam Wainwright has found the secret to pitching in the heat -- a peanut butter and jelly sandwich between innings.

The St. Louis right-hander threw six strong innings in 103 degree temperatures and Matt Holliday had three hits to lead the Cardinals to a 4-1 win over the Colorado Rockies on Wednesday night.

Wainwright (7-8) gave up one run, struck out seven and allowed eight hits to help the Cardinals win for the third time in four games. He fanned seven of the first 13 hitters and threw a first-pitch strike to nine of the first 10 batters.

Wainwright stayed strong despite the steamy conditions. The game-time temperature was the highest in St. Louis since 1988 when temperature readings first were added to the box scores.

"When you're playing in heat like that, it's important to keep those calories in you," Wainwright said. "You've got to make sure you are hydrating well."

Cardinals baserunner Carlos Beltran slides safely home during the eighth inning Wednesday in St. Louis. (BILL BOYCE ~ Associated Press)

Wainwright also ate a protein bar during the contest but felt the sandwich was the key to staying fresh.

"Always strawberry [jelly] on game days," he said. "Like Tiger [Woods] wearing red on Sunday."

Wainwright was coming off one of his worst performances of the season. He gave up seven earned runs over five innings in a 14-5 loss to Pittsburgh on Friday.

But he came out aggressive early against the Rockies. He retired nine in a row from the second to fifth innings.

"He did a real good job of getting ahead of guys and working quick," St. Louis first baseman Allen Craig said. "I feel like he's got his stuff back. He looks really confident out there."

St. Louis Cardinals starting pitcher Adam Wainwright reacts after his defense turned a double play against the Colorado Rockies to end the top of the sixth inning of a baseball game, Wednesday, July 4, 2012, in St. Louis. The Cardinals won 4-1. (AP Photo/St. Louis Post-Dispatch, Chris Lee) EDWARDSVILLE INTELLIGENCER OUT; THE ALTON TELEGRAPH OUT

Holliday, who went 3 for 4, is 33 for 64 (.516) with four homers and 19 RBI in his last 16 games.

St. Louis scored runs in the first and second off Colorado spot starter Jeremy Guthrie (3-8), who gave up two runs over six innings. Guthrie allowed six hits and struck out two in his first start since being dropped from the rotation June 17.

Holliday plated Jon Jay with a double in the first.

Holliday, who is batting .319, has hit safely in seven straight games and 15 of his last 17.