Chicago starter Jeff Samardzija navigated through 5 2/3 scoreless innings in his first start since 2009 to help the Cubs to a 5-1 win over the St. Louis Cardinals on Monday.

It wasn’t easy for Samardzija (1-1), who gave up six hits and walked four while striking out one. The 6-foot-5 righty threw 105 pitches, 64 for strikes and also added a hit and an RBI at the dish.

Four Cubs came out of the bullpen to nail down Samardzija’s third career win, allowing a single run on three hits.

Geovany Soto had three hits, driving in the game’s first run with a single that scored Aramis Ramirez. Soto also walked once and scored a run. Alfonso Soriano added a hit and a pair of RBIs.

St. Louis starter Jaime Garcia (13-8) allowed four runs - two earned - on seven hits over six innings.

Matt Holliday and Yadier Molina both had a pair of hits for St. Louis. Holliday drove in his 92nd run of the year with an RBI single in the seventh inning.

The Cardinals were just 1-for-8 with runners in scoring position and left 12 stranded on base.