Cardinals get strong start from reliever

~ Wellemeyer allowed three runs in his first big league start.

DENVER -- Add Todd Wellemeyer to the list of relievers the St. Louis Cardinals have successfully converted into starters this season.

Wellemeyer earned a victory in his first major league start and Albert Pujols and Jim Edmonds hit back-to-back homers in the fifth as St. Louis beat Colorado 8-4 on Wednesday night to end the Rockies' seven-game winning streak.

The Cardinals have turned Braden Looper, Brad Thompson and Adam Wainwright into winning starters in 2007. And now Wellemeyer, who had 119 career relief appearances coming into the game.

Old habits are hard to break, though. Wellemeyer (1-0) worked out of the stretch from the first pitch. The 28-year-old Wellemeyer, who was claimed off waivers by St. Louis on May 15, lasted five innings, giving up seven hits and three runs.

St. Louis Cardinals outfielder So Taguchi hit a line drive to Colorado Rockies shortstop Troy Tulowitzki during the third inning Wednesday in Denver. (Jack Dempsey ~ Associated Press)

The Cardinals hit back-to-back homers for the first time this season. Pujols drove a three-run homer off Jason Hirsh to left-center field -- his ninth of the season -- and Edmonds hit the next pitch to right for his fifth. The Cardinals tied a season high with five runs in the fifth inning.

Scott Rolen finished with two RBI doubles and Edmonds was 3-for-5 with a triple and single and two runs scored. The win ended St. Louis' seven-game road losing streak.

The Rockies were attempting to win eight in a row for the first time since Aug. 26 through Sept. 2, 1997.

Matt Holliday and Brad Hawpe hit solo homers off Wellemeyer. Holliday's 10th of the season came in the sixth and chased Wellemeyer from the game. Holliday had his 10th three-hit game, which leads the majors.

Hawpe hit an 0-2 pitch to right in the second inning. Hawpe has hit three homers in as many nights and has eight this season. Hawpe drove a pitch from Tyler Johnson deep to right with two on in the eighth, but Ryan Ludwick caught it with his back to the wall.

St. Louis closer Jason Isringhausen pitched a perfect ninth in a non-save situation.

Hirsh (2-5) was pulled after 4 2/3 innings and giving up eight runs. He allowed a career-high 10 hits.

Edmonds led off the fourth with a triple.