Troy Glaus hits 1at homer with St. Louis to lead Cardinals to 5-1 victory over Astros

Glaus, who was acquired in an offseason trade that sent Scott Rolen to Toronto, entered the game leading the major leagues with the most RBIs without a home run. Glaus went 87 at-bats before hitting a 1-1 offering from Brandon Backe (1-3) to center field for his 16th and 17th RBIs to cap a four-run fifth inning.

Glaus' drive was the first in nine games for the Cardinals and scored Ryan Ludwick, who doubled in Rick Ankiel and Pujols to put St. Louis in front 2-1. Pujols homered to center in the seventh.

For the second time in two days, both benches and bullpens cleared without any punches being thrown. After Yadier Molina called timeout during Backe's windup, the Cardinals catcher took exception to Backe's next pitch that was up and in. Molina immediately took several steps toward the mound, twice pushing his counterpart J.R. Towles in an attempt to get to Backe. After calm was quickly restored, umpire Jim Joyce warned both teams.

Kyle Lohse (3-0) went six innings for St. Louis, giving up four hits and one run. Kyle McClellan pitched the final three innings for his first career save.

Lance Berkman singled to start the second and scored on Mark Loretta's base hit. It marked the only time the Astros had a runner get beyond second base.

Pujols' homer was his fifth of the season and first since April 18 against San Francisco.

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