Wainwright (9-3) scattered six hits and a walk while fanning six batters. And because 72 of his 111 pitches were strikes, he induced 11 ground-ball outs.

Albert Pujols's 32nd homer this season was a two-run shot with one out in the bottom of the first.

Pinch-hitter Josh Phelps hit a seventh-inning RBI single and Felipe Lopez had two of the nine hits for the Cardinals, who have just three wins in their last 10 games, but remain in the hunt for an National League wild card berth.

Mike Jacobs produced the only run with a second-inning homer and had two of the seven hits for the Marlins, who have split their last 10 contests.

Losing pitcher Josh Johnson (4-1) surrendered three earned runs in 6 2/3 innings, giving up seven hits and two walks while recording five strikeouts.