HOUSTON, Sept. 21 (UPI) -- Mark DeRosa had two home runs and four RBI Monday to lead the St. Louis Cardinals to a 7-3 victory over the Houston Astros.
Dave Clark, previously the Astros' third-base coach, was named interim manager earlier Monday after Cecil Cooper was fired. But Houston suffered its eighth straight loss as the Cardinals had 15 hits.
Albert Pujols doubled twice, Skip Schumaker had three hits and Matt Holliday went 2-for-4 with an RBI for St. Louis.
Winning pitcher Kyle Lohse (6-8) allowed three runs on five hits in six innings.
St. Louis reduced its magic number for clinching the NL Central to three.
Astros starter Wandy Rodriguez (13-11) allowed six runs on nine hits in five innings.
Lance Berkman and Miguel Tejada hit solo homers for Houston.
