MLB: St. Louis 6, Washington 2

WASHINGTON, May 1 (UPI) -- Albert Pujols hit the first of four St. Louis homers Friday and the Cardinals coasted to a 6-2 victory over Washington.

Pujols has nine home runs for the season and his solo shot in the opening inning was one of three round trippers given up by losing pitcher Jordan Zimmerman (2-1).

Chris Duncan added a two-run homer in the fourth, Ryan Ludwick had a two-run blast in the sixth and Joe Thurston hit one with the bases empty in the seventh.

Washington's two runs came on a homer by Willie Harris in the seventh.

Todd Wellemeyer (2-2) got the victory, giving up six hits and two runs over seven frames.

Ryan Zimmerman went 2-for-4, extending his hitting streak to a Nationals' record 20 games.