Stephenson gets Cards on track

MILWAUKEE -- Garrett Stephenson won his first road game in three seasons and Albert Pujols, Miguel Cairo and Jim Edmonds homered to lead the Cardinals to a 12-3 victory over the Milwaukee Brewers on Tuesday night.

The Cardinals had gone 10 straight games since getting a win from one of their starters.

Stephenson (4-5) hadn't won in 11 straight road starts dating to Sept. 1, 2000 when he beat Pittsburgh. He missed the entire 2001 season after right elbow surgery. He made 10 starts in 2002, but was on the disabled list twice, with a strained back and a strained hamstring.

Stephenson allowed two runs and five hits in seven innings for his first victory in his last six starts. He had lost three straight since defeating Cincinnati 6-3 May 15.

He retired 10 of the first 12 batters before Geoff Jenkins' solo shot in the fourth. Eddie Perez added an RBI groundout in the seventh.

Stephenson turned over a 9-2 lead to a bullpen that gave up seven runs in the seventh inning of a 9-4 loss to Milwaukee on Monday night.

Esteban Yan allowed Eric Young's 1,500th career hit to start the eighth and a walk to Scott Podsednik. Yan struck out Richie Sexson and was relieved by Jeff Fassero. Jenkins hit a RBI single, but Fassero retired the next two batters.

Pujols gave the Cardinals a 3-0 lead in the top of the first. Orlando Palmeiro singled to open the game, Edmonds walked and Pujols connected on a 3-1 pitch from Matt Kinney (5-5) for his 19th home run.

Pujols reached on third baseman Wes Helms' error in the third. Eduardo Perez walked and after a wild pitch, Cairo hit his second home run and first since April 13 at Houston.

Palmeiro and Pujols hit RBI singles in the fourth, knocking out Kinney.

Kinney (5-5) allowed eight runs -- five earned -- and seven hits in 3 2/3 innings.

Edmonds led off the sixth with a home run off reliever Valerio De Los Santos, who hit Tino Martinez with the next pitch. With Martinez pointing at De Los Santos, both dugouts and bullpens converged on the infield. Martinez left the game and order was restored.

Cairo, who had four RBIs, added a run-scoring double in a three-run ninth.

With one out in the bottom of the ninth, pinch-hitter Keith Ginter hit a drive to center field. Edmonds caught the ball and collided with the fence. He fell to the ground and was helped off the field by Cardinals trainer Barry Weinberg.

Notes: 3B Scott Rolen missed his second straight game because of neck and back stiffness. Eduardo Perez replaced him. ... Brewers RHP Todd Ritchie had successful shoulder surgery Tuesday. He was 1-2 with a 5.08 ERA in five starts before fatigue led to a diagnosis of a torn rotator cuff in his right shoulder that ended his season.