MLB: St. Louis 4, Houston 3

The Cardinals jumped a half game in front of the Chicago Cubs for the lead in the National League Central.

St. Louis had already come from one run behind twice in the game before doing it again in the eighth.

With one out, Alberto Arias (2-1) hit Albert Pujols with a pitch and Pujols promptly scored on Holliday's double -- the last of his four hits. Since being obtained by the Cardinals from Oakland last week, Holliday is batting .586.

Holliday moved to third on a wild pitch and put the Cardinals in front when Ankiel singled to left.

The Astros dropped their third straight and fell 4 ½ games out of first place in the NL Central.

Trever Miller (3-0) got the win by striking out the only batter he faced to end the eighth.

Ryan Franklin gave up a leadoff single in the ninth, but did not allow a runner to reach second while picking up his 24th save.

Copyright 2009 by United Press International.