HOUSTON, June 8 (UPI) -- Ryan Ludwick's three-run homer in a seven-run second inning Saturday helped the St. Louis Cardinals beat Houston 8-4.
The homer was Ludwick's 14th round-tripper of the 2008 season. He finished with two hits.
Skip Schumaker had three hits and two RBI. Troy Glaus hit a solo homer in the second.
Yadier Molina drove in one run, while starting and winning pitcher Adam Wainwright added a run and two hits for the Cardinals, who snapped a two-game skid.
Wainwright (6-3) surrendered two earned runs and seven hits in five innings before leaving with a sprained middle finger on his right hand.
Houston's Hunter Pence had three hits, one a solo homer in the fifth, and two RBI. Miguel Tejada hit a solo homer in the seventh.
Michael Bourn had three hits and one RBI while Brad Ausmus added three hits for the Astros, who have dropped three of their last four games.
The losing pitcher was Shawn Chacon (2-2).
