Pujols gets hit No. 1,000

? In their first game without Derrek Lee, the Chicago Cubs were hurting for pitching and offense.

Albert Pujols hit a two-run homer in the first inning for his 1,000th career hit and finished with four RBIs in the St. Louis Cardinals’ 9-3 victory on Friday night. The game was the first for the Cubs since losing Lee, the NL batting champion, for at least two months due to two broken bones above his right wrist.

“I know they’re going through a tough time,” Pujols said. “It’s terrible to see a great player like that going down, but that’s going to happen in your career.”

Cubs starter Jerome Williams was pounded for seven runs in 11â3 innings, including a bases-loaded walk to Mark Mulder in a five-run second, one at-bat after a four-pitch walk to eighth-place hitter Aaron Miles. It’s the shortest outing of his 65-start career.

“I’m not throwing the ball where I want to, and I’m not concentrating,” Williams said. “I was just bad, period.”

Mulder (2-0) worked eight strong innings, and Jim Edmonds homered for the second straight game for the Cardinals.

Rockies 9, Giants 8

Denver – Garrett Atkins’ run-scoring single capped a four-run rally in the ninth inning. The Giants had an 8-5 lead going into the ninth, but Tim Worrell (2-1) failed to record an out and was tagged for four earned runs.

Nationals 7, Braves 3

Washington – Alfonso Soriano hit three homers, including a three-run shot in the eighth inning after a wild pitch in the rain allowed the go-ahead run to score for Washington.

Marlins 4, Phillies 3

Philadelphia – Scott Olsen allowed one earned run over 62â3 innings, Dan Uggla stole home, and Florida defeated Philadelphia. Olsen (1-1) was sharp and efficient in his second start of the season.

Reds 3, Brewers 1

Milwaukee – Bronson Arroyo struck out eight in eight innings to outpitch Ben Sheets. Arroyo (3-0) allowed a home run on his first pitch, then limited the Brewers to five hits over the rest of his outing. He retired 10 in a row at one point to pin the loss on Sheets (0-2).

Astros 3, Pirates 2

Houston – Morgan Ensberg homered in his franchise-record sixth straight game, hitting a two-run shot to back Wandy Rodriguez. Ensberg has seven home runs in the last six games.

Dodgers 6, Diamondbacks 3

Los Angeles – J.D. Drew homered and drove in three runs, and Odalis Perez pitched six innings of four-hit ball for his third consecutive victory.