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Pujols' homer lifts Cardinals over Cubs

Apr 23, 2007 - 12:16 AM CHICAGO (Ticker) -- The Chicago Cubs gave Albert Pujols one too many chances.

Pujols slammed a three-run homer in the 10th inning to lift the St. Louis Cardinals to a 12-9 victory over the Cubs in the rubber game of a three-game series.

The dramatic blast by Pujols capped a typical Wrigley Field slugfest as the teams combined for 33 hits and six home runs - four by Cardinals.

With the wind blowing out, both starting pitchers got rapped around and each closer suffered blown saves. But the wind was not a factor on Pujols' titanic shot.

"It might have been the best ball I hit all year and with the wind blowing out I knew it was gone," Pujols said. "I wasn't trying to do to much other than put a good swing on it. You didn't have to kill the ball today for it to go out."

Scott Rolen had a career-high five hits, including a solo homer and a two-run triple in the ninth that gave St. Louis a 9-7 lead.

"It was a good day to hit and I felt better at the plate today than I had," Rolen said. "It's nice to raise my batting average 68 points in one day, now I can enjoy the off day without thinking about my swing."

Cardinals closer Jason Isringhausen (1-0) couldn't hold it, yielding a pinch-hit double to Alfonso Soriano - who had not played since Monday due to a hamstring strain - followed by a wind-blown pop-up by Mark DeRosa that dropped between three fielders and allowed the two tying runs to score.

That put the game in the hands of Cubs closer Ryan Dempster (0-1), who had been near-perfect in seven previous appearances, allowing just one hit and zero runs.

"Today was tough given the elements and how we battled back twice." Dempster said. "I just try to go after guys, I made a pitch to Albert that came back over the plate and he hit it."

Matt Murton led off with a single and, one out later, David Eckstein singled off the glove of third baseman Aramis Ramirez, bringing Pujols to the plate.

Entering with a .203 batting average, Pujols hammered a pitch from Dempster to deep center field for his fifth homer of the season and 255th career.

"With Pujols at the plate you can not make mistakes," Ramirez said. "He is struggling a bit right now but he showed you why he is an MVP pick every year."

Tyler Johnson and Russ Springer combined to retire the Cubs in order in the bottom of the 10th to end it.

Jim Edmonds and Chris Duncan each delivered a two-run blast for St. Louis.

Cardinals starter Adam Wainwright was roughed up for seven runs - all earned - and 12 hits in 5 1/3 innings, his shortest outing of the season.

"Today our team showed a lot of heart," Wainwright said. "We kept coming back and our hitters kept me in the game longer than I should have been."

Michael Barrett had a two-run blast and Ramirez added a three-run shot in the bottom the sixth, bringing the Cubs into a 7-7 tie.

Cubs starter Wade Miller lasted just 4 2/3 innings, giving up seven runs and nine hits.

"Today I thought Wade had good stuff," Barrett said. "I don't think his start today is a reflection of his stuff, it was just one of those Wrigley Field days."