Chris Duncan launches a two-run homer in the third. (Tom Gannam/AP)
Slugger's four RBIs support Wellemeyer's solid outing
ST. LOUIS -- Albert Pujols' mammoth three-run homer was the big blow in a six-run fourth inning as the Cardinals drilled the Giants, 11-1, at Busch Stadium on Friday night. Chris Duncan also went deep for St. Louis, which set a season high for runs scored.
Starter Matt Cain got the first two outs of the fourth with only a single allowed, but Cesar Izturis doubled to keep the inning alive. Skip Schumaker singled in two runs to stretch what had been a 3-1 lead. After Duncan walked, Pujols drilled a fastball from Cain into the third deck in left field, an estimated 424 feet for his fourth dinger of the year. Three batters later, Adam Kennedy's double scored Rick Ankiel to cap the outburst.
Todd Wellemeyer put up another quality outing for the Cardinals, holding San Francisco to a single run over seven innings. Wellemeyer struck out six and walked two. He wouldn't have allowed even a single run if not for Fred Lewis' single that hit him on the behind in the third inning.
The Cardinals improved to 12-5 on the year, equaling their season-best mark at seven games over .500. They remain 1 1/2 games ahead of the Cubs and Brewers, who are tied for second place in the National League Central and who both won on Friday.
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