Matt Holliday hit a three-run homer that proved to be the difference as the St. Louis Cardinals topped the Houston Astros 3-2 Sunday at Minute Maid Park.

Holliday’s shot in the fourth inning turned a two-run deficit into a 3-2 lead.

Houston took the early advantage with two first-inning runs, courtesy of RBI singles from Carlos Lee and Hunter Pence.

St. Louis starter Blake Hawksworth recovered from a shaky first inning to toss 5 1/3 strong frames. Hawksworth (3-5) allowed just the two runs on seven hits and three walks while striking out two.

The Cardinals bullpen carried the load from there, with Kyle McClellan and Jason Motte keeping Houston off the scoreboard for 2 2/3 innings and Ryan Franklin worked the ninth for his 16th save.

St. Louis added some insurance in the eighth with a Colby Rasmus RBI single to make it 4-2.

Astros starter Wandy Rodriguez (6-11) suffered the loss. He allowed three runs but only four hits and two walks in six innings. He struck out six.

Jeff Keppinger went 3-for-4 for Houston, while no Cardinals had more than one hit in Sunday’s game.