Pujols homers in Friday's 4-3 win

CINCINNATI -- The Cardinals weren't about to give up first place.

Albert Pujols ended St. Louis' longest homer drought in three years with a two-run shot that landed in the front row, and left-hander Jaime Garcia pitched into the seventh inning in another Fernando-like appearance, beating the Cincinnati Reds 4-3 on Friday night to stay atop the NL Central.

Ryan Ludwick added a two-run shot off Aaron Harang (2-5) that also barely cleared the wall, sparking an offense that hadn't homered in the last nine games. The Cardinals were 2-7 during that span, endangering their season-long stay in first place.

"I think we can manufacture [runs], too," said Ludwick, who had three hits. "But guys can hit home runs, and that's going to help."

Garcia (4-2) has gone at least six innings and given up two or fewer earned runs in all seven starts. It's the best such opening streak by a rookie since the Dodgers' Fernando Valenzuela created Fernando-mania by opening the 1981 season with eight such games.

The 23-year-old Garcia had a delayed start to his big league career. He was promoted in 2008, but needed reconstructive surgery little more than a month later. Back in health, he's been impressive.

"He's not Greg Maddux out there, but he does a good job of composing himself," Cardinals manager Tony La Russa said. "He doesn't look like a rookie. He's pitched some tough games in some tough ballparks."

Garcia gave up only five hits in 6 1/3 innings and left with a 1.42 ERA.