St. Louis, MO (Sports Network) - Shelby Miller outdueled Wily Peralta and the St. Louis Cardinals edged the Milwaukee Brewers, 4-2, in the opener of a three-game set at Busch Stadium.

Miller (13-9) allowed five hits and two walks while striking out four over 6 2/3 scoreless innings.

"The first time we saw him, he just threw high fastballs and blew us away. He's really pitching now," Milwaukee manager Ron Roenicke said.

Peralta (9-15) carried a no-hitter into the sixth before giving up a two-run homer to Matt Holliday. Peralta lasted 6 2/3 innings, allowing three runs in total on just two hits while striking out seven.

Matt Carpenter went 1-for-3 with an RBI and a run scored for the Cardinals, who hold a one-game lead over the Pittsburgh Pirates atop the NL Central standings.

"We know what's at stake," Miller said. "We're watching the other teams, we're keeping up with it all. I think it makes it more fun for us."

Logan Schafer hit a two-run pinch-hit homer and Scooter Gennett had two hits and a run scored for the Brewers.

St. Louis took the lead in the sixth on Holliday's blast. Carpenter walked, and after Jon Jay flew out, Holliday smashed a first-pitch fastball into the seats in left-center field.

Carpenter singled home Matt Adams in the seventh, and Adams singled home Adron Chambers in the eighth to make it 4-0.

Schafer stroked his two-run homer with one out in the ninth, but Edward Mujica retired the final two hitters to seal the win.