ST. LOUIS (AP) – Aaron Nola threw seven innings and Ryan Howard homered to lead the Philadelphia Phillies to a 1-0 victory over the St. Louis Cardinals on Tuesday night.

Philadelphia has won seven of eight while St. Louis has lost five of six.

Jeanmar Gomez recorded his ninth save in as many opportunities after Hector Neris struck out the side in the eighth inning.

Nola (2-2) allowed two hits and struck out seven in an 111-pitch stint. He has a string of 20 consecutive scoreless innings dating to April 22. Nola, who retired the last 10 batters, has given up one run or fewer in four of six starts this season.

Howard, a St. Louis native, drilled a first-pitch offering from Michael Wacha (2-2) over the wall in right in the sixth inning.

He has 22 homers in 66 games against St. Louis and has 12 homers in 36 games at Busch Stadium.