ST. LOUIS, Aug. 4 (UPI) -- Albert Pujols highlighted an early St. Louis offensive surge with a three-run homer Wednesday and the Cardinals went on to defeat Houston 8-4.
The Astros had a seven-game winning streak snapped one night after they scored 18 runs against the Cardinals.
St. Louis scored seven times during the first two innings and stayed within one game of Cincinnati for the lead in the National League Central. The Reds defeated Pittsburgh earlier in the day.
Felipe Lopez drew a leadoff walk in the first off J.A. Happ (2-1) and went to third on a double by Pujols. Matt Holliday, Allen Craig, Yadier Molina and pitcher Chris Carpenter then all singled during a span of five batters -- each of them driving in a run.
Lopez again walked to open the second, moved up a base on another walk to Colby Rasmus and both runners scored on the 27th homer of the year for Pujols. Happ gave up seven runs while retiring only three batters.
Carpenter (12-3) picked up the easy victory, limiting Houston to two runs on four hits over 7 1/3 innings. The Astros scored twice in the ninth against Ryan Franklin.
