Albert Pujols finished with three hits, including a three-run homer, to back a strong showing from Chris Carpenter in the St. Louis Cardinals’ 8-4 victory over the Houston Astros on Wednesday.

Felipe Lopez, Matt Holliday, Allen Craig and Carpenter each recorded an RBI as St. Louis avoided being swept by the last-place Astros and stopped a five-game slide against their division-rivals.

Carpenter (12-3) worked 7 2/3 innings and gave up two runs on four hits in winning his third straight decision.

Chris Johnson lifted a two-run homer and Jason Castro and Geoff Blum drove in runs for Houston, which plated 18 runs in Tuesday’s triumph.

St. Louis exploded for four runs on four run-scoring singles in the first inning at the expense of J.A. Happ. Pujols’ blast in the second pushed the lead to 7-2.

Happ (2-1) took the loss in his second start since being acquired from Philadelphia, allowing seven runs and six hits in one inning of work.