Pujols powers Cards

? The St. Louis Cardinals count on Albert Pujols for big hits. His latest blast might have saved their season.

Pujols’ go-ahead three-run homer with two outs in the eighth inning was the difference in St. Louis’ 4-2 victory over the San Diego Padres on Wednesday night, ending a seven-game losing streak during which the Cardinals’ NL Central lead shriveled to 11â2 games.

“You work on a zero for a while, and it gets tougher and tougher to win one,” manager Tony La Russa said. “It’s very important in a lot of ways.”

Pujols hit a 1-0 pitch from Cla Meredith into the third of four decks over the left-field wall to erase a one-run deficit. He had driven in one run in the previous five games before the booming shot eased the Cardinals’ frustration.

Pujols said he hasn’t been overly troubled by the way St. Louis’ lead has dwindled quickly.

“We don’t need to play a catch-up game here, somebody had to catch us,” Pujols said. “It’s tough with that seven-game losing streak, but it stops here.”

Astros 7, Pirates 6, 15 inn.

Pittsburgh – Brad Ausmus’ sacrifice fly in the 15th inning finished Houston’s comeback as the Astros rallied from five runs down to beat the Pittsburgh, their eighth straight victory that kept them close to St. Louis in the NL Central.

The Astros didn’t gain any ground for the first time during their winning streak, but, almost as importantly, didn’t lose any as they stayed 11â2 games out with four to play.

Phillies 8, Nationals 7, 14 inn.

Washington – In danger of losing more ground in the NL wild-card race, Philadelphia scraped out a victory on Jimmy Rollins’ two-run triple with two outs in the 14th inning. The Phillies – who ended a two-game skid – stayed one game behind the Dodgers in the wild-card standings with four to play.

Dodgers 6, Rockies 4

Denver – Derek Lowe won his seventh straight decision, and Los Angeles held on to its lead in the National League wild-card race.

Marlins 7, Reds 2

Miami – Anibal Sanchez became the fourth Florida rookie pitcher to win at least 10 games, and Hanley Ramirez hit two home runs.

Cubs 3, Brewers 2

Chicago – Henry Blanco singled in the winning run in the ninth.

Diamondbacks 6, Giants 3

San Francisco – Eric Byrnes hit a two-run homer and drove in three runs.

Braves 13, Mets 1

Atlanta – Pedro Martinez was rocked again in his final start of the regular season, giving up eight hits, seven runs and two homers in 22â3 innings.