Colby Rasmus hit two home runs, including the game-winner in the top of the ninth inning, to help the St. Louis Cardinals pull away from the from the Arizona Diamondbacks for a 9-4 win on Wednesday.

Rasmus finished 3-for-4 with three RBIs and the go-ahead blast on a 1-2 pitch to deep right-center field off of Diamondbacks closer Chad Qualls (0-1) that broke a 4-4 tie.

The second blast was the start of a five-run ninth as the Arizona bullpen was torched again. Before Qualls was relieved, he gave up two more hits surrounded by a sacrifice to push the lead to 6-4.

Bobby Howry came in and surrendered a three-run shot to Skip Schumaker.

Jason Motte (1-1) picked up the win by retiring a pair of batters and Ryan Franklin struck out two in the ninth for the save.

In the eighth inning, the Diamondbacks made their way back into it against Cardinals starter Chris Carpenter when rookie Cole Gillespie opened the frame with a double and then scored on Kelly Johnson’s double to close within 4-3. Johnson eventually came around to score on reliever Trever Miller’s wild pitch to tie it.

Rasmus helped stake the Cardinals to an early 3-0 lead with a two-run shot off Diamondbacks starter Edwin Jackson.