Berkman homers in Cardinals' Friday win

ST. LOUIS -- Jaime Garcia bounced back from a career-worst performance by forgetting all about it.

Garcia pitched eight innings in another crisp effort at home, and the St. Louis Cardinals got home runs from Lance Berkman and Albert Pujols in a 6-1 win over the Chicago Cubs on Friday night.

Garcia (6-1) allowed a run and four hits while improving to 4-0 with a 0.46 ERA in five home starts this season. He struck out eight and walked one in his first game since he surrendered 11 earned runs in a 15-4 loss at Colorado last Saturday.

"As soon as I was done pitching, I forgot about it and started to move forward," Garcia said about his 10-out outing at Coors Field. "I never really doubted myself. I know I have the stuff."

Berkman snapped an 0-for-13 skid with his 12th homer, a drive to center on a 1-1 pitch from Ryan Dempster (4-5) in the first inning. It was Berkman's first homer since May 15 at Cincinnati and provided Garcia with all the support he needed.

"A three-run homer in the first against a real good pitcher, that puts your team in a hole," Dempster said. "I just didn't execute a fastball in and I paid for it."

Berkman, like Garcia, quickly forgot about the past few games.

"It was good to finally come out and get some hits," Berkman said.