Yadier Molina, Todd Wellemeyer and Cesar Izturis each drove in a run for the Cards, who have won three straight.

Wellemeyer (5-1) started and went six innings, allowing just two runs on six hits. Randy Flores, Ron Villone and Russ Springer each pitched a perfect inning of relief for St. Louis.

Brian Giles and Khalil Greene had two hits apiece for the Padres, who lost their third straight, and their 13th out of their last 18.

Wilfredo Ledezma (0-1) started in place of Jake Peavy, who is out of action for at least two weeks with a sore elbow in his pitching arm. Ledezma gave up four runs on five hits in four innings to take the loss.

Ludwick put the Cardinals ahead with a first-inning two-run homer and Pujols scored what turned out to be the decisive run in the third when he scored on a bases-loaded walk to Molina.