Dustin May delivered a commanding performance on the mound Friday night, setting the tone for a tight 3-2 Cardinals victory over the Red Sox in the opener of their three-game set at Busch Stadium. The right-hander worked six strong innings, allowing just two runs (one earned) on four hits to secure his first win of the season.

The Cardinals' offense provided just enough support, manufacturing runs with timely hitting and smart baserunning. After a Victor Scott II sacrifice fly opened the scoring in the second, the game turned in a pivotal fifth inning. With the score tied 2-2, Jordan Walker singled and Ramón Urías walked to set the table. A clutch single by Thomas Saggese brought Walker home, and a wild pitch moved both runners into scoring position. José Fermín then delivered the decisive blow with a sacrifice fly to plate Urías, giving St. Louis a lead their bullpen would not relinquish.

For Boston, the highlights came via small ball in the fourth, with an RBI groundout from Masataka Yoshida and a daring double steal that saw Trevor Story swipe home. However, the Red Sox couldn't solve May after that, and reliever Zach Kelly took the loss after surrendering the two critical runs in the fifth.

The Cardinals' bullpen sealed the deal, with Riley O’Brien firing a perfect ninth inning to nail down his fourth save. The win gives St. Louis early momentum in the series, a crucial boost as they look to climb the standings. The teams return to action Saturday with Boston's Ranger Suarez scheduled to face St. Louis' Kyle Leahy.