Cardinals 8, Pirates 4
David Freese singled home two runs in the fifth inning and Matt Holliday sealed it with a three-run homer in the ninth as the St. Louis Cardinals posted an 8-4 victory over the visiting Pittsburgh Pirates on Thursday.
Allen Craig added two hits and two runs scored and Lance Berkman collected two hits and an RBI for St. Louis, which snapped a three-game losing streak.
Edwin Jackson (10-9) allowed six hits and four runs – one earned – over six innings to win his third game in five decisions since being acquired by the Cardinals.
St. Louis reliever Jason Motte recorded three outs - including two with a runner at third in the eighth inning to extend his streak of outings without giving up an earned run to 28.
Garrett Jones had two hits and two RBIs for the Pirates. Michael McKenry singled home a run in the top of the fourth inning to give the Pirates a 4-3 lead.
Pittsburgh starter Charlie Morton (9-7) allowed nine hits and five runs in 4 1/3 innings and lost for the first time in five starts.