Albert Pujols and Ryan Ludwick hit home runs and starter Jamie Garcia continued to impress as the St. Louis Cardinals defeated the Cincinnati Reds, 4-3, on Friday.

The victory halts the Cardinals’ three-game losing streak and Cincinnati’s five-game winning streak, while St. Louis increased its lead in the National League Central to 1 ½ games.

Pujols’ eighth blast of the season and Ludwick’s fifth were both two-run shots coming in the third and fifth innings, respectively, off Reds starter Aaron Harang.

Garcia (4-2) threw six shutout innings before allowing a two-run homer to Drew Stubbs with one out in the bottom of the seventh inning, leading to the rookie’s departure from the game. The left-hander scattered six hits and struck out six batters.

Stubbs also drove in a run during the Reds’ rally in the ninth inning. But with runners at first and second, Ramon Hernandez grounded into a double-play against Ryan Franklin, who earned his eighth save of the season.

Harang (2-5) allowed four runs on eight hits in six innings as he lost his third decision to the Cardinals this year.