ST. LOUIS, July 16 (UPI) -- Larry Walker's three-run homer Saturday helped the St. Louis Cardinals beat Houston, 4-2.
The blast capped a four-run fifth inning. Jim Edmonds added a run-scoring single as St. Louis extended its lead in the season series against the Astros to 8-2.
Walker, Albert Pujols and Mark Grudzielanek each had two hits.
Winning pitcher Jason Marquis improved to 9-6. He gave up two runs and six hits over eight innings with two walks and two strikeouts.
Jason Isringhausen pitched the ninth for his 26th save as St. Louis won its third straight and eighth in 10 games.
Loser Roy Oswalt dropped to 12-8. He surrendered four runs and eight hits in six innings with one walk and four strikeouts.
Morgan Ensberg hit a two-run homer for Houston.
