Miami ? Seeking a spark for the St. Louis Cardinals’ slumping offense, Tony La Russa turned to slugger Albert Pujols.

Starting in left field despite a bruised right thumb that makes it difficult for him to throw, Pujols hit a two-run homer in the first inning and helped the Cardinals break a five-game losing streak by beating the Florida Marlins 9-2 Friday night.

“That was a pretty gutsy call by the skipper,” said Eli Marrero, who also homered for St. Louis. “Albert can’t really throw the ball out there, but we’ve got to have his bat in the lineup. Whatever he can contribute is a big plus for us.”

Batting third for the first time this season, Pujols hit his third homer of the year on the first pitch he saw in the first inning from A.J. Burnett (0-2). Pujols fielded only one ball — a single by Burnett — before departing in the sixth inning for defensive replacement Marrero.

La Russa shrugged off his successful gamble.

“We’re one game under .500,” he said. “There are a lot of things I don’t know.”

The Cardinals, who scored 11 runs during their losing streak, had 10 hits. Edgar Renteria drove in two runs with a double and a sacrifice fly.

Brett Tomko pitched a nine-hitter for his first complete game with a Cardinals. Tomko (2-2) struck out three, walked one and drove in a run with a bases-loaded walk in the sixth to knock out Burnett.

“It took a major load off for us to score all those runs,” Tomko said. “It’s nice when you get a little cushion right away. You can be more aggressive and not nibble.”

Brewers 12, Braves 5

Atlanta — Richie Sexson tied a career high with three home runs and John Vander Wal homered twice, leading Milwaukee past Atlanta.

Sexson hit a three-run homer in the first off Shane Reynolds (1-1), a solo shot in the third and another solo drive in the sixth off Trey Hodges. Sexson also doubled in the fourth and grounded out in the ninth. He finished with five RBIs and a franchise-record 14 total bases.

St. Louis' Scott Rolen hurls his bat and helmet in disgust after striking out. The Cardinals beat the Marlins, 9-2, Friday in Miami.

Ben Sheets (2-2) allowed five runs in seven innings for the win.

Expos 10, Astros 2

Montreal — Zach Day came within two outs of his first career shutout and Wil Cordero hit a two-run homer off Jeriome Robertson (1-3) to lead Montreal.

Dodgers 5, Pirates 2

Pittsburgh — Adrian Beltre hit a tiebreaking double in a five-run ninth.

Troy Brohawn (2-0) pitched a hitless eighth and Eric Gagne finished for his sixth save.

Giants 7, Phillies 4

Philadelphia — Pat Burrell dropped J.T. Snow’s shallow fly to left, allowing three runs to score in the eighth inning.

Joe Nathan (2-0) pitched two scoreless innings in relief of Kurt Ainsworth.

Phillies starter Vicente Padilla (3-2) gave up five runs — two earned — in 72¼3 innings.

Mets 4, Diamondbacks 3

New York — Raul Gonzalez delivered yet another big hit since being promoted from the minors, a tiebreaking double in the seventh inning that sent New York to its third straight victory.

Mike Stanton (1-2) earned the win and Oscar Villarreal (1-1) took the loss.

Padres 7, Reds 3

Cincinnati — Jake Peavy (4-1) struck out eight of the first 10 batters he faced.

Rondell White had a two-run double and Xavier Nady hit a two-run homer off Jeff Austin (0-1).

Cubs 11, Rockies 7

Denver — Mark Prior (4-1) drove in four runs, hit his first career homer and pitched into the eighth inning as Chicago beat Colorado.

Corey Patterson was 4-for-5 with a home run and three RBIs for the Cubs, who had 16 hits after managing just 16 in three games against San Diego.

Colorado starter Nelson Cruz (3-1) allowed seven runs in 52¼3 innings.