Albert Pujols (5) follows through on a two-run home run in the sixth inning.

Kansas City's David DeJesus, top, is tagged out as he barrels into St. Louis Cardinals catcher Jason LaRue while trying to score on a Jose Guillen single in the first inning. The Royals lost to the Cardinals, 9-6, on Sunday in Kansas City, Mo.

Kansas City, Mo. ? The sun, the wind and Jason LaRue’s stocky body proved too much for Kansas City to overcome.

The backup catcher started his day by holding onto the ball in the first inning when David DeJesus came crashing into him trying to score. DeJesus, leading the majors with a .463 average with runners in scoring position, had to leave the game.

But a fired-up LaRue proceeded to drive in four runs with a wind-aided home run and one of the strangest triples anyone will ever see, leading the St. Louis Cardinals to a 9-6 victory over their state rivals.

“My goodness,” St. Louis manager Tony La Russa said. “What more can you do? Big hits, big collision at the plate. He had a terrific day and handled the pitching staff on a tough day to pitch.”

LaRue’s four RBIs in four at-bats were only nine fewer than he managed in 169 at-bats last year for the Royals.

“Today was one of my most exciting games,” he said. “All in all, this day was probably one of my best.”

Albert Pujols also homered as every Cardinal batter had a hit but Adam Kennedy, who scored twice and drove in a run.

Hillman said DeJesus bruised his right rig cage and would be day to day.

A few minutes after the collision with DeJesus, and with gusts nearing 30 mph blowing across from left field, LaRue lifted what appeared to be a playable flyball into right off Brian Bannister. The right fielder faded back and then faded back some more, but the ball sailed over the fence for a 2-0 lead.

Then with two outs and two on in the fifth, LaRue smacked a line drive straight toward center fielder Joey Gathright. As Gathright took a few steps in and prepared to make the catch, the ball suddenly hooked away. Gathright fell down, lunging futilely for the ball as it rolled to the wall. Both runners scored as LaRue, with speed befitting someone who’s spent his life squatting behind home plate, labored into third with his first triple since 2004.

“It was coming right at me,” Gathright said. “Then it cut. I was pretty much in shock when it went by me. I couldn’t believe it cut that much. But there’s nothing you can do.”

LaRue took a lot of ribbing for having to stop at third.

“There’s no speed at all. Zero speed,” he said. “They were just laughing at me.”