LOS ANGELES (AP) -- Albert Pujols homered for the second time this season and Matt Holliday drove in three runs and scored twice as the St. Louis Cardinals beat the Los Angeles Dodgers 9-5 on Thursday night.

Jaime Garcia (2-0) allowed three runs -- two earned -- and five hits in five innings, struck out two and walked two.

The left-hander had only allowed one run in his two previous starts.

Hiroki Kuroda (2-1) gave up 10 hits and six runs -- five earned -- in five innings, struck out three and walked none in the Dodgers' third straight loss. His three wild pitches were a career high.

Pujols sent a 3-2 pitch from Kuroda into the lower left field seats with one out in the fifth, extending the Cardinals' lead to 5-3.

The slugger has gotten off to a slow start since this season and was 7 for 28 on the road trip before homering.

(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)