Pujols powers Cardinals past Pirates 6-4

Published: July 22, 2011, 8:20 p.m. MDT

St. Louis Cardinals' Albert Pujols, right, slides safely into second ahead of the tag by Pittsburgh Pirates second baseman Neil Walker, left, with a second-inning double during a baseball game in Pittsburgh, Friday, July 22, 2011. Gene J. Puskar, Associated Press

PITTSBURGH — Albert Pujols went 4 for 5 and homered for the second straight game to lead the St. Louis Cardinals past the Pittsburgh Pirates 6-4 Friday.

David Freese broke out of an extended slump with two hits, including a two-run homer, as St. Louis pulled into a virtual tie with the Pirates in the crowded NL Central standings.

Chris Carpenter (6-7) gave up four runs in eight innings to win his fourth straight decision for the Cardinals. Fernando Salas pitched the ninth inning to collect his 18th save.

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Pittsburgh's Paul Maholm (6-10) had won four straight games at PNC Park, but a sloppy first inning sent him to his first home loss in two months.

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