Albert Pujols clubbed three home runs and Adam Wainwright hurled seven solid innings, as the St. Louis Cardinals pounded the Chicago Cubs, 9-1, in the rubber match of a three-game series at Wrigley Field.

Pujols circled the bases in the first, fifth and ninth innings, giving him 12 home runs on the season. He also walked twice, once intentionally, and scored four times.

Matt Holliday collected four hits and knocked in a run for St. Louis, while David Freese went 3-for-5 with three RBI in the victory. Wainwright (7-3) gave up one run on seven hits with two walks and eight strikeouts. All nine St. Louis runs were scored with two outs.

Chicago starter Ryan Dempster (3-5) absorbed the loss after he was tagged for six runs on nine hits and three walks in 6 2/3 innings. He finished with seven strikeouts.