Albert Pujols and Tino Martinez belted three-run homers in the first inning as the Cardinals topped the Pirates 10-6. Pujols’ blast was his 33rd of the season and extended his hitting streak to 26 games. It’s the longest Cardinal streak since Lou Brock hit safely in 26 straight in 1971. Rogers Hornsby set the Cardinal record at 33 games in 1922. Pujols was 3-5 and upped his average to .370, which leads the league. Pujols is second in the National League with 33 home runs and 105 RBI’s. Martinez was only 1-4, but his homer, a fielder’s choice and sacrifice fly meant a five-RBI night. Brett Tomko lasted six innings, to win his third straight and improve to 9-7 on the season. Over the final three innings Tony La Russa used five more pitchers, including Jason Simontacchi, who got his first save of the year by recording the final out of the game. The Cardinals trail the Astros by one game in the National League Central.
