The Cardinals are happy Interleague play is over. St. Louis produced a 2-10 record in the last 12 games – including two series sweeps – against the American League. Thanks to some returning power and solid starting pitching, they’ll head back to the National League riding a 9-7 win over the Royals.

The Redbirds got home runs by Albert Pujols, Scott Rolen, and Jim Edmonds. Jason Marquis allowed four runs on nine hits and struck out five in seven innings to get the win.

St. Louis scored six runs in the third inning ignited by Pujols’ three-run dinger off Royals starter Mike Wood. Yadier Molina drove in two runs on a single to center. Marquis aided himself with an RBI infield single to cap off the inning.

Kansas City stormed back, scoring six runs in the final three frames, but the Cardinals bullpen held on to get the win.

Emil Brown and David DeJesus both had three hits and an RBI. Wood got the loss lasting just 4.2 innings giving up eight runs on seven hits including all three of the homers.