Cardinals 4, Reds 1
Albert Pujols hit a three-run homer and Chris Carpenter pitched eight strong innings as the St. Louis Cardinals recorded a 4-1 victory over the host Cincinnati Reds on Saturday night.
Pujols hit a two-out homer to left off Bronson Arroyo (7-8) in the fifth to turn a one-run deficit into a 3-1 lead. The homer was Pujols’ second in two days and the major-league leading 26th allowed by Arroyo.
Carpenter (5-7), who improved to 14-4 against the Reds, allowed one run, eight hits and struck out seven.
Fernando Salas pitched the ninth for his 17th save.
Jon Jay went 3-for-4 and had a run-scoring single in the seventh to make it 4-1.
Cincinnati scored in the third when Drew Stubbs walked, moved to third on Edgar Renteria’s single and scored on Joey Votto’s single to left.
Pujols has 20 homers for the 11th straight season since reaching the majors in 2001.
Arroyo gave up four runs and eight hits in 6 2/3 innings.