NEW YORK, 3 June 2004 — Albert Pujols notched five hits and drove in three runs to inspire the St. Louis Cardinals to an 8-1 pounding of the host Pittsburgh Pirates in the National League Tuesday.
Pujols homered and had two doubles as he recorded the second five-hit game of his career and lifted his batting average for the season to .321. He also took the major league lead in homers with 16.
The Cards have the most road victories in the NL this season (17-9) after winning for the fourth time in five games on their travels.
St. Louis is 20-6 at PNC Park, the best record of any Pittsburgh opponent since the venue opened in 2001.
Scott Rolen of the Cardinals was hit in the batting helmet by a pitch in the first inning.
Rolen stayed in the game to score in a three-run first but did not return for the bottom of the inning.
Jeff Suppan (5-4) seized the win after allowing one run on six hits over seven innings with four strikeouts and two walks.
Jim Edmonds had two hits and drove in two runs while Ray Lankford added two hits and an RBI.
In Miami, Adam Dunn homered twice, including once in the 10th inning, to steer the Cincinnati Reds to a 7-6 triumph over the Florida Marlins.
Ken Griffey Jr also homered for the Reds, his third in five games and the 495th of his career. Brian Reith (1-1), the sixth of seven Cincinnati pitchers, recorded one out for the win before Danny Graves allowed one run on two hits in one inning for his 25th save of the season. Nate Bump (0-3) gave up two runs on two hits in two innings to take the loss. Mike Mordecai had three hits and an RBI for the Marlins while Mike Lowell claimed two hits and two RBI.
In Chicago, Jeff Bagwell and Jeff Kent homered as the Houston Astros edged the Cubs 5-3. Pinch-hitter Michael Lamb drove in the go-ahead run with a double in the eighth. Danny Miceli (2-2) pitched two shutout innings of relief for the win and Octavio Dotel pitched a scoreless ninth for his eighth save of the season. Kyle Farnsworth (0-3) allowed two unearned runs on two hits in two innings to take the loss. Todd Walker, Moises Alou and Todd Hollandsworth homered for the Cubs.
In Atlanta, rookie Nick Green and JD Drew homered in a four-run rally in the bottom of the ninth inning which gave the Braves a 7-6 victory over the Montreal Expos.
Andruw Jones also homered for the Braves. Armando Almanza (1-1) pitched 1 1/3 innings of shutout relief for the win.
Rocky Biddle (0-3) allowed four unearned runs on three hits in the ninth to take the loss. Brad Wilkerson homered for the Expos.
In Philadelphia, Todd Zeile homered in the eighth to tie the game and drove in a run with a single in a three-run 10th inning as the New York Mets beat the Phillies 4-1.
Vance Wilson also homered for the Mets. Ricky Bottalico (2-0) tossed 1 2/3 shutout innings for the victory while Braden Looper pitched a scoreless 10th for his ninth save of the season.
In Phoenix, Luis Gonzalez singled home a run in the bottom of the ninth inning as the Arizona Diamondbacks ended the San Francisco Giants’ 10-game winning streak with a 6-5 victory.
Steve Finley homered twice and Scott Hairston once for the Diamondbacks. Jose Valverde (1-2) pitched a perfect ninth for the win.
In San Diego, Charles Johnson drove in four runs to carry the Colorado Rockies past the Padres 7-1. Johnson had three hits and Todd Helton drove in two runs for Colorado. Aaron Cook (1-0) went seven innings for the win, allowing one run on six hits.
Brian Giles chalked up two hits for the Padres. Loser Justin Germano (1-1) gave up six runs on five hits over 2 2/3 innings.
In Los Angeles, Scott Podsednik homered and Doug Davis tossed six shutout innings as the Milwaukee Brewers defeated the Dodgers 4-1.
Doug Davis (4-4) allowed four hits with four strikeouts and two walks. Dan Kolb pitched the ninth for his 14th save of the season.
