Pujols’ Homer Keeps the Cardinals Going

With one big swing, Albert Pujols reached another milestone and kept the St. Louis Cardinals’ faint playoff hopes alive.

Pujols homered in the 13th inning, his second game-winning shot of the season, for a 3-2 victory over the Houston Astros on Saturday in St. Louis. He has 114 homers, tied with Hall of Famer Ralph Kiner (1946-48) for the most in a player’s first three seasons.

“You’re talking about records that were sitting there for a long time,” said Pujols, who has 43 home runs this season.

“It’s a blast. I didn’t try to hit the ball out of the park, I just tried to put a good swing on it, and look what happens.”

The Astros lead the National League Central by 1 1/2 games over the Chicago Cubs and by five over the Cardinals. St. Louis has six games to go, including the series finale against Houston today.

St. Louis Manager Tony La Russa said, “We take pride in being competitors.”

Fernando Vina had three hits and a walk for the Cardinals, who ended a five-game losing streak against the Astros. They had lost the previous four by a combined score of 28-7.

Jason Simontacchi (9-5) allowed two walks and struck out one in two innings. Dan Miceli (1-3) gave up the homer to Pujols.

Pittsburgh 8, Chicago 2 -- Rookie Ryan Vogelsong allowed an unearned run over seven dominant innings, and the Pirates beat the Cubs at PNC Park.

Cincinnati 2, Philadelphia 0 -- Todd Van Poppel and two relievers combined on a four-hitter, leading the Reds over the Phillies at Philadelphia. The loss dropped the Phillies a half game behind Florida in the wild-card race.

Arizona 10, Milwaukee 4 -- Luis Gonzalez drove in three runs and Elmer Dessens won for the first time in almost a month as the Diamondbacks beat the Brewers in Milwaukee.

Montreal 4, New York 3 -- Todd Zeile’s home run in the 10th inning at Shea Stadium lifted the Expos over the Mets, who have lost seven in a row and 15 of 16.

San Diego 11, Colorado 3 -- Gary Bennett drove in five runs, and Phil Nevin homered and had three runs batted in to lead the Padres over the Rockies in Denver.