MLB: St. Louis 12, Arizona 7

PHOENIX, April 15 (UPI) -- Ryan Ludwick's two-run homer helped break the game open during a four-run sixth inning Wednesday and St. Louis went on to down Arizona 12-7.

Ludwick had three RBI overall and extended his hitting streak to 18 games dating back to last season. Yadier Molina contributed three of the Cardinals' 13 hits and drove in two runs.

St. Louis won for the seventh time in 10 games to start the season.

Joel Pineiro (2-0) got the win despite surrendering five runs on nine hits over five innings. Jon Garland (1-1) took the loss, giving up seven runs on seven hits in just 3 2/3.

St. Louis owned a 7-5 lead going into the sixth, during which the Cardinals sent 10 men to the plate and wound up leaving the bases loaded.

Colby Rasmus walked off Yusmeiro Petit to open the inning and promptly scored on a double by Albert Pujols. Ludwick followed with a homer to left to make it 10-5.

Joe Thurston singled in a run later in the inning, but the Cardinals missed a chance for an even bigger frame when Rasmus popped up to shortstop with the bases full for the third out.

Mark Reynolds and Eric Byrnes both homered for the Diamondbacks, who fell to 3-6 on the season.