Pujols has 5 RBIs; Cards beat Brewers

Associated Press

MILWAUKEE

Your turn, Albert Pujols.

The St. Louis slugger had one of the biggest postseason nights of his career in Game 2 of the NL championship series, going 4 for 5 with a home run, three doubles and five RBIs to lead the Cardinals past the Milwaukee Brewers 12-3 on Monday.

Tied at one game apiece, the series now shifts to St. Louis, where Cardinals ace Chris Carpenter will face Brewers right-hander Yovani Gallardo on Wednesday night.

Pujols belted a two-run homer in the first, a two-run double in the third and an RBI double in the fifth, then added another double in the seventh.

His big hits came one night after Ryan Braun and Prince Fielder bashed the Brewers to a 9-6, come-from-behind victory in Game 1.

Pujols was 1 for 4 in Sunday night’s loss, hitting into a double play with runners on first and third in the seventh inning.

Rickie Weeks hit a two-run homer in the fourth for Milwaukee, then was involved in a disputed play in the fifth. With the bases loaded and one out, Weeks grounded into a double play, though replays showed he was safe.

But that play didn’t matter much after the Brewers gave up four runs in the seventh inning. Fielder homered in the eighth, well after the outcome had been decided.

Lance Lynn got the win for the Cardinals, and Milwaukee’s Shaun Marcum, who gave up five runs on seven hits in four innings, took the loss.