The Cardinals got their big slugger back on Friday, but the temporary first baseman was the star. John Mabry went 3-4 with a home run and 5 RBI, lifting the Cardinals to a 12-7 win over the Texas Rangers. Albert Pujols returned after missing four games with a pulled hamstring. Pujols was 1-5 with an RBI single in the third inning. Reggie Sanders homered and drove in two runs for St. Louis. Edgar Renteria added 2 RBI. The Cards win, paired with Cincinnati’s loss, put the Cardinals in first place in the National League Central, one-half game in front of the Reds. At 35-26, the Cardinals own the best record in the National League.
