MLB: Chicago Cubs 8, St. Louis 7

CHICAGO, April 17 (UPI) -- Alfonso Soriano's two-run eighth-inning homer Friday gave the Chicago Cubs an 8-7 win over St. Louis.

Soriano was hitless in four previous at-bats before his game-winning blast off losing pitcher Chris Perez (0-1) with one out in the bottom of the eighth, following a fielding error by St. Louis first baseman Albert Pujols.

Aramis Ramirez had three hits and three RBI. Micah Hoffpauir had two hits and one RBI, while Derrek Lee added a run and two hits for the Cubs, who stopped a two-game slide.

The winner was reliever Aaron Heilman (2-0).

Closer Carlos Marmol earned his second save by setting down the Cardinals in order in the top of the ninth.

St. Louis's Ryan Ludwick homered twice, good for four RBI, and had three of his club's 10 hits.

One of two hits by Brian Barden was a sixth-inning solo homer, while both Pujols and Chris Duncan hit sacrifice flies for the Cardinals, who had won seven of eight.