Ryan Ludwick had three hits and four RBI Friday to lead the St. Louis Cardinals in an 8-3 win over the Chicago Cubs.

Ludwick hit a sacrifice fly and an RBI single in his first two trips to the plate and his two-run single capped a four-run sixth.

Albert Pujols had two hits -- one a fifth-inning solo homer, his 32nd this season -- and two RBI. Yadier Molina drove in a run, and one run scored on Aaron Heilman's sixth-inning wild pitch in the Cardinals' fourth win in five games.

Winner Chris Carpenter (7-3) surrendered three earned runs and seven hits in six innings with two walks and six strikeouts.

Chicago's runs scored on Derek Lee's two-out, third-inning homer, his 17th.

Losing pitcher Rich Harden (5-6) gave up four earned runs and seven hits in five innings with four walks and six strikeouts.

Harden and Ryan Theriot had two hits each in Chicago's third straight loss.