ARLINGTON, Texas – Hank Blalock hit his second career grand slam and drove in five runs, and Ryan Drese pitched seven strong innings as the Texas Rangers beat the St. Louis Cardinals 7-2 on Saturday night.

Drese (3-3) won for the first time since beating Tampa Bay on May 5. He allowed two runs- one earned, and allowed four hits against a St. Louis offense that came in tied for the National League lead in runs scored.

Marlon Anderson’s solo home run ended Drese’s shutout bid with two outs in the sixth. The Cardinals scored an unearned run in the seventh when Jim Edmonds scored from second on Drese’s throwing error.

Blalock had an RBI single in the third inning and his grand slam off St. Louis starter Chris Carpenter (7-2) in the fourth gave Texas a 7-0 lead. It was Blalock’s 14th homer of the season.

The Rangers roughed up Carpenter, who had won his last six decisions. He allowed a season-high seven runs in 5 2-3 innings in his first loss since April 14 against Houston.

Albert Pujols was St. Louis’ designated hitter for the second consecutive game since missing four games with a strained hamstring. He was 0-for-4, and is 1-for-9 the past two games.

Rod Barajas doubled and Michael Young walked to open the third. Blalock singled to score Barajas, and Young also scored when the ball rolled under Anderson’s glove in left field for an error.

Fullmer singled in Blalock later in the third to put Texas ahead 3-0.

Gary Matthews Jr., Barajas and Young opened the fourth with consecutive singles. Blalock cleared the bases with a shot that just cleared the right-field fence.

That was more than enough support for Drese, who threw a complete game Sunday against the New York Yankees but lost.

After Reggie Sanders doubled with two outs in the second, Drese retired 12 of 13 batters before Anderson’s homer.

St. Louis manager Tony La Russa left Saturday’s game before it ended to attend his daughter’s college graduation Sunday in California. He’ll also miss Sunday’s game and will return when the Cardinals play Oakland on Tuesday.

Third-base coach Jose Oquendo and pitching coach Dave Duncan will co-manage the team in La Russa’s absence.

Notes: Texas Tech men’s basketball coach Bob Knight, Dallas Cowboys coach Bill Parcells and Dallas Mavericks coach Don Nelson were at the game. … Texas activated outfielder Kevin Mench (left oblique strain) from the 15-day disabled list before the game. He was 0-for-4. The club designated outfielder Chad Allen for assignment to make room for Mench. … St. Louis starting pitchers have allowed 60 homers – the most in the majors.

AP-ES-06-12-04 2239EDT