Chicago ? Albert Pujols’ third homer on a testy Tuesday at Wrigley Field brought the St. Louis Cardinals all the way back and sent the Chicago Cubs to a crushing defeat.

“It was the first time I’ve hit three home runs, and it came at the right time,” Pujols said after his shot in the ninth helped the Cardinals to an 11-8 comeback victory.

“It’s one of those days you never forget.”

Pujols went 5-for-5 with a double and five RBIs, helping St. Louis rally from a six-run deficit in the final meeting of the season between the heated rivals. The Cardinals left town with a 10-game lead over the third-place Cubs in the NL Central.

“I take every game like it’s the last game of the World Series, but this is extra special right here,” Pujols said. “You’re playing against your rival. I don’t think we ever thought we were going to have a lead like this.”

A day after the teams nearly scuffled, there was more trouble. St. Louis starter Matt Morris threw a fastball behind Corey Patterson in the first, prompting a warning to both benches from plate umpire Tim Tschida.

Cubs reliever LaTroy Hawkins, who gave up Pujols’ go-ahead homer, was ejected after he started yelling at Tschida as he walked toward the dugout in the middle of the ninth.

An angry Hawkins had to be restrained by manager Dusty Baker and several Cubs coaches from going at Tschida before he finally was forced into the Chicago dugout.

“Do I regret it? No,” Hawkins said, adding that he and Tschida had a feud dating back two years. “I talked to him like a man at first, and it didn’t work. You think I’m going to hit him? I’m not going to hit him.”

St. Louis first baseman Albert Pujols watches the flight of his third home run of the day against the Chicago Cubs. Pujols' third homer put the Cardinals ahead to stay in an 11-8 victory Tuesday in Chicago.

In 2002 when Hawkins was with the Twins, Tschida ejected him from a game in a disagreement over the positioning of the reliever’s chair in the bullpen.

“I didn’t curse at him, didn’t yell at him. I just asked him a question, plain and simple,” Hawkins said of Tuesday’s run-in.

Tschida said the previous disagreement had no bearing on their argument Tuesday over the location of pitches in the ninth.

“I would say his imagination is a little fertile,” Tschida said.

After Pujols hit a two-run drive off Hawkins (2-2) on a hit-and-run play, Reggie Sanders added a solo shot in the three-run ninth as St. Louis roared back after trailing 7-1.

“The best thing about Albert in a very long list of great things is that he plays the game to win,” Cardinals manager Tony La Russa said. “That’s what I admire most. Nothing else is a close second.”

Jason Isringhausen got three outs for his 24th save in 28 chances, retiring Aramis Ramirez on a shallow fly with the bases loaded to end it.

“It’s a very devastating and tough loss,” Baker said. “We’re not conceding. … Yeah, we’re frustrated.”

Reds 6, Brewers 2

Cincinnati — Brandon Claussen pitched seven impressive innings in his NL debut, and Jason Romano’s first homer lifted Cincinnati. Claussen (1-0) gave up Bill Hall’s two-run homer and only five hits overall in his first appearance with the Reds. The left-hander was the Yankees’ top pitching prospect in July when they sent him to Cincinnati as part of the trade for Aaron Boone.

Dodgers 7, Astros 5

Houston — Adrian Beltre hit his 25th homer and drove in three runs, leading Los Angeles to its eighth straight win. Jeff Weaver (7-9) gave up four runs on seven hits in six innings, but left trailing 4-1 when the Dodgers began to rally for their sixth straight comeback victory on the road since the All-Star break.

Phillies 4, Braves 3,

10 innings

Atlanta — Bobby Abreu’s RBI single in the 10th inning capped Philadelphia’s 30th come-from-behind win of the season, pulling the Phillies back into a first-place tie in the NL East. Tim Worrell (3-3) earned the win with a scoreless inning.

Pirates 2, Expos 1

Pittsburgh — Rookie Sean Burnett limited Montreal to one run in seven innings to beat the Expos for the second straight time, and Rob Mackowiak hit a two-run homer. Burnett (4-2), a 2000 first-round draft pick, pitched much like he did in during a 10-hit shutout as Pittsburgh beat Montreal, 11-0, July 9 in San Juan. Livan Hernandez (6-10) allowed four hits over eight innings, striking out eight, but still lost his third straight.

Marlins 9, Mets 7

New York — Miguel Cabrera homered and drove in three runs, and Florida won despite blowing an early six-run lead.

Mike Piazza sprained his left wrist when Juan Pierre ran into his arm as he reached for a wide throw at first base in the second inning. X-rays were negative and he was to be re-evaluated.

Ex-Met Armando Benitez pitched a scoreless ninth for his 32nd save in 35 chances.

Padres 9, Rockies 7

Denver — Ryan Klesko homered and drove in three runs, and Khalil Greene had a homer and two RBIs, leading San Diego. Adam Eaton (5-8) was in danger of becoming the first pitcher since 1976 to lose to an opponent four times in a season, but got the better of Jason Jennings this time.

Giants 3, D’backs 1

Phoenix — Jerome Williams outpitched Randy Johnson, allowing four hits over seven-plus innings. Williams (9-6) allowed one unearned run, walked four and struck out two for his fifth win in seven decisions, sending the Diamondbacks to a team-record sixth straight home loss.