Albert Pujols hit his 701st home run, Jack Flaherty allowed one run in six innings and the St. Louis Cardinals beat the Pittsburgh Pirates 2-1 on Friday night.
Pujols mashed a slider from Johan Oveido 398 feet to left field in the fourth inning, his 22nd homer of the season.
Flaherty (2-1) gave up four hits, struck out six and walked two in his fifth start since returning from a right shoulder injury that sidelined him most of the season.
Nolan Arenado put the Cardinals in front in the fifth inning with a single that dropped just in front of right fielder Jack Suwinski to score Brendan Donovan.
Ryan Helsley pitched a scoreless ninth for his 19th save in 23 opportunities.
LHP Jordan Montgomery (8-6, 3.50 ERA) goes for St. Louis as the series continues on Saturday, 5:20 with the pregame and the first pitch at 6:15 on KIRX.