DENVER - Nolan Arenado's breakthrough at the plate paved the way for Jorge De La Rosa's milestone victory.

De La Rosa pitched seven strong innings to tie a Rockies record for wins, Arenado homered against the top road pitcher in the majors, and Colorado hung on to beat the St. Louis Cardinals 4-3 Tuesday night following another rain delay at Coors Field.

"It's awesome. It shows he's been in the game a long time and he's competed and done a good job," Arenado said of De La Rosa, who earned his 72nd win with Colorado, tying Aaron Cook for the team record. "When he's on, we have a great chance to win."

De La Rosa had to be on in his matchup with Michael Wacha, who entered 6-0 away from home with a 1.59 ERA, best in the majors.

It appeared Wacha, protecting a 2-0 lead, was going to improve that mark until Arenado followed Carlos Gonzalez's sixth-inning single with his 15th homer.

"I just got on top of it," Arenado said. "That's obviously not where he wanted to throw it. Thank God I was able to take advantage of it. But he's a great pitcher. His stuff is really good. He made one mistake, I guess."

The start of the game was delayed more than an hour because of heavy thunder showers.

With the score tied at 2 in the seventh, pinch-hitter Wilin Rosario, who was batting for De La Rosa, singled off Wacha. One out later, DJ LeMahieu doubled to the centre-field wall, scoring Rosario.

Wacha intentionally walked Troy Tulowitzki and was relieved by Randy Choate, who promptly gave up an RBI single to Gonzalez.

Peter Bourjos homered in the eighth off reliever Boone Logan, and the Cardinals later loaded the bases with two outs but Yadier Molina flied out to end the inning.

Wacha (8-2) matched a career high with 10 strikeouts but gave up four runs and nine hits in 6 2-3 innings.

"I felt good the whole night," he said. "I just left some pitches over the middle of the plate and they didn't miss them. I've got to do a better job of making better pitches in those situations."

De La Rosa (3-2) allowed two runs and three hits while striking out eight.

"It feels really good to be tied now with Aaron Cook," De La Rosa said. "He was a really good pitcher for this franchise and I'm glad to be there."

The Cardinals were without slugging left fielder Matt Holliday, who went on the 15-day disabled list with a strained right quadriceps. He was injured Monday night when he tripped and took a hard fall trying to chase down a fly ball.

St. Louis broke up a scoreless tie in the fifth. Jon Jay reached second base when Randal Grichuk was caught in a rundown between third and second on Jay's fielder's choice. Bourjos followed with a run-scoring single.

Jhonny Peralta upped the Cardinals' lead in the sixth when he connected for his 10th homer, a solo shot off the lower rim of the second deck.

The Rockies evened the score when Arenado drove an 0-1 pitch from Wacha deep into the left-field bleachers.

TRAINER'S ROOM

Cardinals: Manager Mike Matheny said the team will wait to see how Holliday progresses in the coming days before trying to determine a timetable for his return. St. Louis filled his roster spot by recalling RHP Miguel Socolovich.

Rockies: RHP LaTroy Hawkins, on the 15-day disabled list since April 22 because of right biceps tendinitis, could be getting close to returning. He pitched a scoreless eighth inning Tuesday night for Triple-A Albuquerque.

UP NEXT

Cardinals: RHP Carlos Martinez (6-2) seeks his fourth straight win when he starts Wednesday's series finale.

Rockies: RHP Chad Bettis (2-0) has had quality starts in each of his five starts since being recalled on May 14.