Cardinals 7, Pirates 2
Allen Craig had four hits - including two home runs - and Kyle Lohse pitched seven solid innings as the St. Louis Cardinals cruised to a 7-2 victory over the host Pittsburgh Pirates on Wednesday.
Yadier Molina and Lance Berkman added RBI singles for St. Louis, which moved to within six games of Atlanta in the National League wild card race.
Craig, who entered the game 0-for-9 since returning from the disabled list, deposited a first-inning offering from Paul Maholm (6-14) into the seats in center for a two-run homer. He also went deep to lead off the seventh.
Lohse (11-7) improved to 6-2 in his career against the Pirates after he allowed two runs, five hits and struck out seven.
Jose Tabata belted a two-run homer in the fifth for Pittsburgh, which saw its modest two-game winning streak halted.
Maholm suffered his fifth straight loss after permitting three runs and eight hits in five innings.