GLENDALE, Ariz. — Brian Westbrook’s big games weren’t all in his rearview mirror after all.
The 31-year-old running back rushed for 136 yards and a touchdown in place of the injured Frank Gore, and the San Francisco 49ers sent punchless Arizona to its sixth straight loss, 27-6 on Monday night in a shower of boos from the Cardinals home crowd.
Gore left in the first half with what was later diagnosed as a fractured right hip.
That should mean a lot more work ahead for Westbrook, who had 9 yards on five carries all season. He ran 23 times in his 21st career 100-yard game, but first since Dec. 7, 2008, for Philadelphia against the New York Giants.
“I just kind of bided my time, tried to stay fresh, tried to stay focused,” Westbrook said, “and when I got my opportunity, make the most of it. . . . For me it meant a lot to have an opportunity to go out there and play and have an opportunity to have success.”
San Francisco (4-7), beaten at home by Tampa Bay 21-0 last week, improved to 3-1 since Troy Smith became its starting quarterback and pulled within a game of co-leaders St. Louis and Seattle in the NFC West.
Arizona (3-8), two-time defending division champion, has not lost this many in a row since dropping eight straight in 2006, Dennis Green’s final season as coach.
The 49ers rushed for 261 yards, their season high.
