49ers’ long runs stifle Cardinals

Associated Press

GLENDALE, Ariz.

Brian Westbrook rushed for 136 yards and a touchdown in place of the injured Frank Gore and the San Francisco 49ers sent punchless Arizona to its sixth straight loss, 27-6, Monday night in a shower of boos from the Cardinals home crowd.

Westbrook, who had nine yards in five carries all season, carried 23 times in his 21st career 100-yard game, but first since Dec. 7, 2008, for Philadelphia against the New York Giants.

San Francisco (4-7), beaten at home by Tampa Bay 21-0 last week, improved to 3-1 since Troy Smith became starting quarterback and pulled within a game of co-leaders St. Louis and Seattle in the anemic NFC West.

Arizona (3-8), two-time defending division champion, has not lost this many in a row since dropping eight straight in 2006, Dennis Green’s final season as coach.

Arizona couldn’t stop Westbrook, allowing his first 100-yard game in two years.

San Francisco ran over Arizona early, using its running game and Ted Ginn’s long returns to score its most first-half points in more than two years.

The 49ers had two drives stall in the third quarter, leading to a blocked field goal and one made from 38 yards by Shane Andrus.

It didn’t matter the way the defense was playing. San Francisco held the Cardinals to 23 yards in the quarter and Takeo Spikes had an interception.

Michael Crabtree opened the scoring with a diving 38-yard touchdown catch from Smith, one play after the 49ers recovered a botched handoff attempt — Arizona’s 27th turnover of the season — between Derek Anderson and Beanie Wells on the Cardinals’ first play from scrimmage.

The 49ers opened the season 0-5 and are sticking with Troy Smith even though Alex Smith is now healthy.