Albert Pujols homered and the visiting St. Louis Cardinals scored two runs off San Diego Padres closer Heath Bell in the top of the ninth on Monday to win their third straight, 3-1.

Daniel Descalso and Ryan Theriot each knocked in runs off Bell (2-1), who was pitching for just the third time in the Padres’ past 14 games.

Kyle Lohse (6-2) allowed one run on five hits and one walk over eight innings for the Cardinals, who moved a season-high nine games over .500.
Fernando Salas earned his eighth save.

Pujols ended a career-worst homerless drought at 105 at-bats with a solo blast in the sixth inning off Dustin Moseley, who gave up one run on five hits over seven innings.

The Padres lost their fourth straight and have been held to two runs or fewer in their last seven games.

Cards center fielder Colby Rasmus added to the Padres' offensive woes when he robbed Ryan Ludwick of a home run with his catch above the center field wall in the first inning.