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Chicago, IL (Sports Network) - 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.
The Cardinals grabbed an early lead on a solo shot by Pujols.
Chicago loaded the bases in the fourth, but Starlin Castro grounded into a double play to end the inning.
The St. Louis first baseman's second round-tripper of the game scored Ryan Ludwick, who singled home Brendan Ryan.
Holliday and Freese singled in runs in the seventh to make it 6-0.
A solo home run by Geovany Soto put the Cubs on the board in the bottom of the seventh.
St. Louis tacked on three more runs off John Grabow in the ninth. Pujols cleared the wall in center and Freese crushed a two-run homer to left after Holliday grounded a single up the middle.
The three-homer game was the fourth of Pujols' career...Pujols has 38 RBI this season...Cubs manager Lou Piniella announced that Carlos Zambrano will return to the rotation after a stint in the bullpen. Zambrano is expected to start Wednesday against Pittsburgh. He made four starts before he switched to a relief role on April 22.