St. Louis, MO (Best E Casino) - Kyle Lohse tossed six-plus strong innings, and the St. Louis Cardinals edged the Houston Astros, 3-2, in the rubber match of a three-game set.

Lohse (5-2) scattered five hits and allowed only one run with no strikeouts and one walk. Albert Pujols homered and scored twice for the Cardinals, who have won five of seven. Ryan Franklin surrendered a leadoff homer to Lance Berkman in the ninth, but set down the next three Astros for his fourth save.

The loss spoiled a good start by Roy Oswalt (4-5), who held the Cards to five hits and three runs, with two strikeouts and two walks over seven frames. Solo homers by Carlos Lee and Berkman provided the offense for the Astros, who have dropped three of four.

The Cards took an early 2-0 lead with a two-out rally in the first. Pujols lined a single to left, and Oswalt issued consecutive free passes to Ryan Ludwick and Troy Glaus, loading the bases. Chris Duncan singled to right, scoring Pujols and Ludwick. Oswalt was able to get Jason LaRue to ground out, finally ending the frame.

Pujols extended the St. Louis lead to 3-0 with a leadoff homer to left in the sixth.

Lee returned the favor in the seventh, however, belting the first pitch he saw out, a line drive to dead center field to finally get the Astros on the board. Hunter Pence followed with a single to center, ending Lohse's day. Kyle McClellan came out of the bullpen, though, and retired the next three batters to get out of the inning.

Berkman made things interesting in the ninth, as he ripped a hanging curveball from Franklin into the seats in right-center, his 17th of the season to make it a one-run game. Franklin bore down, though, getting Lee to ground out, fanning Pence, and a Ty Wigginton ground out ended the game.

Game Notes

Berkman's homer was his 17th of the season, tying Philadelphia's Chase Utley for tops in the majors...The Astros took a flier on veteran southpaw Ray King Thursday, signing him to a minor-league contract. King will report to the Triple-A Round Rock Express in time for Saturday's game versus New Orleans. Right-handed hurler Dave Borkowski will join him after he cleared waivers and agreed to the assignment.