The St. Louis Cardinals scored 3 runs in the 7 th inning and 5 more in the 8 th to break blast their way out of what had been a close game with the Arizona Diamondbacks to defeat the Snakes 11-3 Monday night at Busch Stadium.

Scott Rolen went 2 for 5 with 4 runs batted in and Albert Pujols drove in a pair of runs to pace the Redbirds.

Starting St. Louis pitcher Braden Looper, who was not involved in the decision, pitched 6 innings, allowing 3 earned runs on 4 hits. Russ Springer (4-1) pitched 1 scoreless inning for the win. Arizona starter Brandon Webb (8-6) took the loss.

The Cardinals (37-42) and the Diamondbacks (46-38) play again Tuesday night at Busch Stadium. Todd Wellemeyer (2-1) takes the mound for the Redbirds against Arizona’s Randy Johnson (4-3).