PITTSBURGH, Aug. 29 (UPI) -- Jason Marquis pitched 7 1/3 innings of shutout ball and Albert Pujols hit his 40th homer Sunday to lead St. Louis to a 4-0 win over Pittsburgh.
Marquis (13-4) scattered four hits with three strikeouts to win his 10th consecutive decision. He walked four for the Cardinals, who have won three straight and four of five to continue to own the best record in the majors.
Pujols added an RBI triple and scored two runs, while Scott Rolen finished 2-for-3 with an RBI.
Oliver Perez (9-7) allowed three runs on five hits to record the loss. He fanned seven with two walks in six innings for the Pirates, who have dropped three straight and four of six.
The Cardinals opened the scoring with two runs in the third. Roger Cedeno forced a one-out walk and then touched home on Pujols triple to center.
