MLB: St. Louis 3, Washington 2

ST. LOUIS, Aug. 29 (UPI) -- Albert Pujols hit a lead-off homer in the ninth inning Friday to give St. Louis a 3-2 victory over Washington.

The Cardinals trailed by a run going into the eighth, but Khalil Greene hit a pinch-hit homer in the eighth to tie it, and Pujols blasted the third pitch from Jason Bergmann (2-4) in the ninth over the wall in left.

St. Louis stayed nine games in front of the Chicago Cubs in the National League Central, the largest division lead in the majors. The Cardinals have lost just twice in their last nine games.

John Smoltz, in his second start with the Cardinals, allowed a run on four hits over six innings.

The win went to Jason Motte (4-4), who worked the top of the ninth. St. Louis has won four of its five meetings with the Nationals this season.