Wong had hit five home runs in his first seven games after coming off the disabled list (bruised left shoulder) earlier this season. Before the game he said that home run rash hadn’t changed his approach but admitted later, “With hitting a lot of homers, you continue to want to hit more. And you think in order to hit more you have to swing hard and hit the ball as far as you can.

“But it doesn’t matter how far you hit the ball over the fence. If it squeaks over or it goes 10 rows deep, it’s still a homer.

“The thing they brought me up for was to get on base, create some havoc and try to score some runs.”

With the Cardinals ahead 7-5 in the fifth, Milwaukee first baseman Lyle Overbay dropped a pop foul by Holliday, who then nearly undressed second baseman Scooter Gennett with a smash that went for a single.

Matt Adams walked and Peralta singled to load the bases for Taveras, who doubled to right center, giving him his second multi-RBI game in his last three.

“He looks like he’s feeling a little more comfortable,” said Matheny. “He knows he’s going to get the opportunity. He’s just got to make the most of it.”