MLB: St. Louis 6, Arizona 1

ST. LOUIS, July 17 (UPI) -- Albert Pujols bounced back from a disappointing performance in the All-Star Game by hitting two homers Friday and leading St. Louis past Arizona 6-1.

Pujols hit solo shots in the fourth and sixth innings, boosting his major league-best total to 34.

The Cardinals hosted the 80th All-Star Game Tuesday. Pujols went hitless in three at bats and committed an error that helped the American League pull out a 4-3 victory.

Nick Stavinoha added a two-run homer in the eighth inning Friday and the Cardinals took a shutout into the ninth before reliever Jason Motte surrendered a solo shot to Miguel Montero.

Chris Carpenter (8-3) went eight innings, scattering seven hits and striking out seven to win his third straight start.

The two home runs by Pujols came off Jon Garland (5-9). They were the only runs Garland gave up during a six-inning appearance.

St. Louis won its second straight and leads the Chicago Cubs and the Milwaukee Brewers by three games in the National League Central.