Cardinals post four-game sweep against Marlins

MIAMI -- Pitching to the St. Louis Cardinals' big three didn't work. Walking them backfired, too.

With another productive day by Albert Pujols, Matt Holliday and Lance Berkman, the Cardinals completed their first four-game series sweep on the road since 2004.

St. Louis foiled intentional walks to Pujols and Berkman during a three-run sixth inning Sunday, and Holliday drove in three runs with a pair of two-out singles to help beat the Florida Marlins 8-4.

In a single series, the Cardinals matched their longest winning streak of the season.

"It's kind of unreal, really," Cardinals manager Tony La Russa said. "We're going to enjoy the moment."

Cardinals catcher Tony Cruz tags out the Marlins' Javier Vazquez during the fifth inning Sunday in Miami. Vazquez tried to score on a ground ball to shortstop Rafael Furcal. (Lynne Sladky ~ Associated Press)

"I'm glad they're getting out of town," Marlins manager Jack McKeon said.

Pujols hit his third home run of the series and his 27th this season, and his intentional walk backfired on the Marlins in the sixth inning, when Holliday followed with a tying single. The Marlins then intentionally walked Lance Berkman, and Jon Jay foiled that strategy with a two-run single.

Holliday said it was especially satisfying to produce after the walks.

"Mainly because you score a run and help the team," he said. "Albert is one of the greatest players of all time. I get that they're going to walk him a lot. But it does feel good when you come through."

Sloppy defense plagued the Marlins all day, and after they tied the game at 4-4, the Cardinals took advantage of a throwing error by shortstop Emilio Bonifacio to score three unearned runs in the seventh. Ryan Theriot's RBI single put St. Louis up 5-4, and Holliday added a two-run single.

The Cardinals' Jon Jay watches his two-run single against the Marlins during the sixth inning.

Pujols, Holliday and Berkman combined to hit .438 (21 for 48) in the series with five home runs and 13 RBIs. It was the final game the Cardinals will play in the Marlins' current home. St. Louis is 45-27 in the stadium, best in the NL.

This season the Marlins are having trouble beating anybody in Miami, where they're 24-36. On the road they're 31-23.

"I wish I could put my finger on it," McKeon said. "It looks like we play so much more relaxed on the road. I suggest we play a few days with our road uniforms and see how that works out."

Florida was swept in a four-game series at home for the second time in two months. It also happened against Milwaukee on June 3 to 6.

"When you play bad baseball against a good team, that's what happens," said Florida's Javier Vazquez, who gave up four runs in six innings.

As rain falls, St. Louis Cardinals' Albert Pujols, left, and Matt Holliday (7) are met by teammate Tony Cruz, right, after scoring on a single by Jon Jay in the sixth inning during a baseball game against the Florida Marlins in Miami, Sunday, Aug. 7, 2011. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)

The Marlins' new ballpark next season will have a retractable roof, and neither the home team nor the visitors will miss dealing with South Florida's wet summer weather. The start of Sunday's game was delayed 81 minutes by rain, and drizzle fell throughout the final few innings.

About a thousand hardy fans remained until the end, and the majority seemed to be Cardinals rooters.

"You wish you didn't have delays. You wish there were more fans in the stands," La Russa said. "Both those things get taken care of next year."

Florida's Bryan Petersen hit his first major league homer, a two-run shot that tied the game when he pinch-hit with two out in the sixth.

The pitchers of record were a bit misleading. Mitchell Boggs (2-3) received credit for the victory despite giving up Petersen's homer in the only inning he worked. Mike Dunn (5-6) took the loss even though he didn't allow an earned run -- the two runs charged against him were unearned because of Bonifacio's error.

The Cardinals' Jaime Garcia had his second consecutive five-inning outing. He departed for a pinch hitter trailing 2-1.

"If I'm not going deep in the games, I'm not getting the job done," Garcia said.

Noteworthy

* Marlins outfielder Logan Morrison needed five stitches to repair a gash below his right knee suffered chasing a foul fly. He stayed in the game and said he expects to play today.

* Florida shortstop Hanley Ramirez (left shoulder) remains sidelined indefinitely.

* Cardinals right-hander Edwin Jackson will make his second start against the Brewers in seven days Tuesday. He gave up eight earned runs in seven innings in a 10-5 loss to them last Wednesday.