Cincinnati, OH (Sports Network) - Braden Looper went the distance for the first time in his career, tossing a three-hit shutout as the Cardinals pounded the Cincinnati Reds, 10-0, in the middle installment of a three-game series.

Rick Ankiel belted a three-run homer and Jason LaRue added a two-run shot - both in the first inning off Johnny Cueto, as the Cardinals captured their fourth consecutive victory. Ryan Ludwick added a solo homer and two RBI in the victory.

Looper (8-5), who had four strikeouts without walking a batter, allowed a double to Ken Griffey Jr. in the fourth inning, and back-to-back singles to Jay Bruce and Paul Janish in the sixth.

Despite the win, the Cardinals were hit with bad news regarding first baseman Albert Pujols. He was put on the 15-day disabled list Wednesday with a strained left calf and will be out at least the next three weeks.

Cueto (5-6) was charged with five hits and six runs, while walking a career- high eight batters against just two strikeouts. The 22-year-old right-hander threw just 50 of his 101 pitches for strikes and had his personal three-start winning streak broken.

It's the most walks allowed by a Reds starter since Steve Avery had nine, June 29, 1999 against Arizona.

Aaron Miles and Ludwick walked with one out in the first inning, and Ankiel followed with his 10th homer of the year, a shot to right field. Troy Glaus then walked, and with two down LaRue smacked his first home run since last July 31, a blast to left.

Ludwick doubled to left to score Skip Schumaker in the fourth, but Miles was thrown out at home to end the inning. Ludwick then led off the seventh against Danny Herrera with his 16th homer of the year.

St. Louis tacked on three more runs in the eighth. LaRue singled, Looper doubled and Brendan Ryan's base hit to left made it 8-0. Looper scored on a Schumaker groundout, and Ryan came home when right fielder Bruce dropped a fly ball from Ludwick.