Cardinals Beat Brewers to Avoid Sweep

Albert Pujols went 4-for-4 with a homer Thursday as the St. Louis Cardinals beat the Brewers 5-2 to salvage the series finale.

St. Louis moved back within four games of the NL Central-leading Brewers, who shot themselves in the foot by hitting into four double plays.

Chris Carpenter (8-8) gave up 10 hits in eight innings, and Fernando Salas got his 22nd save in 25 chances with a perfect ninth.

Pujols took extra batting practice before the game and it paid off. He hit a first-inning solo homer, his 28th, just over the wall in center, had a run-scoring single in the fifth and added two more singles.

Yovani Gallardo (13-8) lasted just five innings for Milwaukee, which finished its road trip 5-1.

Cardinals left fielder Matt Holliday missed a second straight game with a strained lower left side and back, while the Brewers' Ryan Braun was given the night off so he can keep his left leg healthy for the stretch run.  The Brewers will continue to monitor Braun's left leg.

Pujols is Healed and is Activated to Play

The St. Louis Cardinals announced that Pujols will be activated before tonight's game against the Reds. He will not start but will be available to pinch hit. Today was the first day Pujols was eligible to come off the disabled list.

The injury to Pujols happened in a first-base collision with the Kansas City Royals' Wilson Betemit on June 19, said the wrist feels good and he has been swinging a bat for a week