Chris Young’s homer in 9th inning rescues bullpen, gives Diamondbacks 7-5 win over Cardinals

Young’s homer gives Arizona 7-5 win over Cardinals

PHOENIX — Chris Young rescued Arizona’s much-maligned bullpen with his second homer of the game, a two-run shot in the bottom of the ninth inning that gave the Diamondbacks a 7-5 victory over the St. Louis Cardinals.

Albert Pujols drove in three runs for the Cardinals, who trailed by three going into the ninth before rallying to tie it on a wild pitch by winner Esmerling Vasquez (1-2).

Kyle McClellan (0-2) retired the first two Diamondbacks in the bottom half before Miguel Montero singled and Young hit a drive to left.

Adam LaRoche doubled home two runs in the first inning and added an RBI single in the seventh for Arizona. Young hit a solo homer in the fourth.

Felipe Lopez doubled leading off the ninth for St. Louis and closer Chad Qualls was charged with an error when he bobbled a toss to first base on Colby Rasmus’ grounder.

Pujols hit an RBI single and, one out later, Randy Winn drove in a run with a single. Vasquez came on for Qualls and uncorked a wild pitch that allowed Pujols to score the tying run.

Vasquez was charged with a blown save, but he retired Yadier Molina and Skip Schumaker with Winn on second to keep the score tied.

Arizona starter Edwin Jackson got through 6 2-3 innings and scattered eight hits before departing with runners on second and third. He hasn’t beaten the Cardinals in five appearances.

St. Louis ace Chris Carpenter wasn’t sharp with his command through his six innings. He had to wiggle out of two bases-loaded situations in his last two innings of work and walked a season-high five. He struck out eight and allowed six hits.

The Diamondbacks got two runs in the seventh off reliever Dennys Reyes. Stephen Drew hit a leadoff double and scored on LaRoche’s single. Montero then hit an RBI double high off the center-field wall.

Montero caught his first full game in two months after a long stint on the disabled list with a partially torn meniscus in his right knee.

Pujols lined a two-run double in the seventh off reliever Aaron Heilman, with both runs charged to Jackson. Pujols was 2 for 11 in the three-game series and finished the team’s six-game road trip 3 for 22.

NOTES: Diamondbacks LHP Dontrelle Willis has a minor infection in his left hand after splitting a nail during his last start, though manager A.J. Hinch said it can’t get worse. Willis will be available out of the bullpen as a situational lefty when the Diamondbacks are in Boston starting Monday. Carpenter tied a career high with two hits.