David Freese had a run-scoring triple and the St. Louis Cardinals made a four-run first inning stand for a 6-2 victory over the Washington Nationals on Monday.

Yadier Molina drove in a pair of runs and Albert Pujols had three hits and scored two runs for the Cardinals, who had dropped five of six entering the two-game series against Washington.

Kyle Lohse (1-3) picked up his first win of the season in his eighth start, allowing two runs -- one earned -- on six hits in six innings.

Four relievers combined to hold the opposition to two hits the rest of the way to preserve victory.

The Cardinals struck for the four runs in their opening at-bats on a two-run RBI single by Colby Rasmus, Freese’s triple and Molina’s single to right.

They added a pair of runs in the eighth to close out the scoring on Molina’s groundout and a single by Skip Schumaker.

Washington starter Craig Stammen (1-2) was dealt the loss in surrendering four runs on six hits with four strikeouts in six innings.

The Nationals got on the board in the fifth with a pair of runs. Adam Kennedy came around to score on a throwing error by Schumaker following an infield single by Roger Bernadina. Two batters later, Ian Desmond reached base for one of his three hits and scored on a groundout by Willie Harris.