CHICAGO – Albert Pujols hit his 32nd homer, Ryan Ludwick drove in four runs and the St. Louis Cardinals beat the Chicago Cubs 8-3 on Friday in the opener of a four-game series leading into the All-Star break.

Pujols and Ludwick reached base four times apiece. Pujols added two RBI to reach 85 and also hit his first triple of the season.

Chris Carpenter (7-3) worked six innings, allowing seven hits and three runs with six strikeouts. The Cardinals’ ace improved his career record against the Cubs to 9-3, including 6-2 at Wrigley Field.

The victory put the first...

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