Albert Pujols homered and drove in five runs to help the St. Louis Cardinals thump the Milwaukee Brewers 12-3 in Monday night's Game 2 of the National League Championship Series.

Pujols went 4 for 5 with three doubles to pace a 17-hit attack as the Cardinals evened the series at 1-1. Game 3 is Wednesday in St. Louis.

David Freese homered and drove in a pair of runs while Nick Punto added two run-scoring singles for the Cardinals.

Pujols belted a two-run shot off Shaun Marcum (0-1) in the first inning and brought in two more runs with a double to deep center in the third. He made it 6-2 in the fifth, doubling to score Jon Jay, and added another two-bagger in the seventh.

Lance Lynn (1-0) earned the win with 2/3 thirds an inning in relief of starter Edwin Jackson, who allowed two runs and seven hits in 4 1/3 frames.

Rickie Weeks and Prince Fielder homered for the Brewers, who will send ace Yovani Gallardo to the mound Wednesday.

Marcum lasted only four innings after giving up five runs on seven hits.