ATLANTA, Aug. 13 (UPI) -- Larry Walker and Albert Pujols homered and Woody Williams allowed three hits over seven innings to lead St. Louis over Atlanta 4-1 Friday night.
Pujols and Edgar Renteria each finished 2-for-4 and drove in a run as the Cardinals took the opener of the three-game set between two National League division front-runners. St. Louis has now won eight of nine and improved its major-league best record to 75-39.
Williams (9-6) posted his sixth consecutive winning decision with a brilliant performance. The 37-year old, who has not lost since June 8, had a two-hit shutout through six innings.
Chipper Jones provided the Braves' lone run with a solo homer as Atlanta lost for only the third time in 15 contests.
Paul Byrd (4-4) suffered the loss after yielding four runs on seven hits over 6 2/3 innings. The veteran righty fanned a season-high six batters.
