ST. LOUIS, Aug. 7 (UPI) -- On a historic night for Albert Pujols, Brett Tomko pitched into the ninth inning Thursday night as St. Louis blanked Florida, 3-0.
Tomko combined with Jason Isringhausen on a four-hitter. Tomko (8-7) allowed three singles and a double in eight-plus innings, walking one and striking out five. He pitched into the ninth for the second time in as many outings against Florida this year but registered his first victory in 17 career starts at Busch Stadium.
Pujols gave Tomko all the support he needed by driving in a run in the bottom of the first with a double. He joined Jose Canseco as the only players in major league history with 30 homers and 100 RBI in each of their first three seasons. Pujols also has a 21-game hitting streak, the longest by a Cardinal in four years.
