A night removed from getting blasted 16-5 by the Colorado Rockies, the St. Louis Cardinals decided to deliver some payback.

And they did so in a big way.

Nolan Arenado and Albert Pujols both hit home runs, and each player was a triple away from the cycle. Pujols notched four hits in a game for the first time in three years. DeJong went yard for the fourth time in five games, and Yadier Molina had himself a multi-hit game, as the Cardinals routed beat the Rockies 9-5.

With eight total bases on the evening, the 42-year old Pujols moved within 16 of tying Stan Musial for the second-most in major-league history. He continued his success at Coors Field, the sight of his first career MLB hit back in April of 2001.

Lars Nootbaar hit two triples — one to the right-center gap and the other to the left-center gap, as he continues his amazing post-All Star break streak.

Meanwhile, on the mount, Jose Quintana (4-5) gave up two runs and seven hits and struck out six in his second quality start since being obtain from Pittsburgh on Aug. 1. He has given two runs and eight hits in 12 innings for the Cardinals, with 13 strikeouts and four walks.

UP NEXT

St. Louis RHP Dakota Hudson (6-6, 4.20 ERA) is to oppose Colorado RHP German Marquez (6-9, 5.18) in the deciding game of the three-game series. Hudson has not won in his five starts since June 28. Marquez is 2-1 with a 2.52 ERA in six career starts against the Cardinals.