La Russa guides Cardinals to victory

ST. LOUIS -- Albert Pujols volunteered to play third base last week and got turned down.

In Tony La Russa's first game back, the manager told Pujols yes.

The St. Louis Cardinals snapped a three-game losing streak in La Russa's return from illness, capitalizing on Cliff Lee's career-high six walks and succeeding with the manager's novel lineup ploy in a 3-1 victory over the Philadelphia Phillies on Monday night.

"He said, 'Are you sure?'" Pujols remembered La Russa saying. "If I don't think I can play third, you know what, I would never bring that up. It would be stupid for me to go out and embarrass myself."

Cardinals starter Jake Westbrook (3-3) allowed a run in a season-high seven innings to outpitch Lee (2-4), who's winless in six starts since throwing a three-hit shutout at Washington on April 14.

Lee departed after 122 pitches in 6 1/3 innings.

Ryan Theriot, Matt Holliday and Lance Berkman walked twice apiece against Lee, helping the Cardinals rebound after getting swept at Cincinnati.

"It was a special night," La Russa said. "A lot to feel good abut in this game."

The Phillies totaled four hits and had only three runners in scoring position against Westbrook (3-3), who went only 2 1/3 innings in his last start but got his sinker back on track.

"Incredible. I mean, he was spot on," Berkman said. "We absolutely needed a game like that."

Fernando Salas worked the ninth for his fourth save in four chances.

Jimmy Rollins had two of the Phillies' five hits. The Phillies (25-15) have the best record in the NL, but injuries are mounting and they've scored six runs in a three-game losing streak.