Cardinals 5, Pirates 1
Cardinals 5, Pirates 1: Kyle Lohse tossed seven-plus superb innings and Rafael Furcal recorded three hits and an RBI while scoring twice as St. Louis took the rubber game of its three-game series at Pittsburgh.
David Freese added a two-run single and Matt Holliday plated a run for the Cardinals, who have won six of eight.
Lohse (3-0) remained perfect thus far this season, allowing one run and six hits while striking out five. The veteran improved to 8-2 lifetime against the Pirates.
Furcal led off the game with a single and scored three batters later on Carlos Beltran's double-play grounder. He opened the third with a double and crossed the plate later in the inning on Freese's hit to right field that gave St. Louis a 3-0 lead.
Erik Bedard (0-4) remained winless despite yielding two earned runs or less for the fourth time in as many starts this year. The left-hander surrendered seven hits and four walks with seven strikeouts.
Pinch-hitter Casey McGehee delivered an RBI single for the Pirates, who have scored two runs or fewer in 11 of their 15 games this season.
GAME NOTEBOOK: The Pirates have scored a total of three runs in Bedard's four starts ... Lohse has allowed three runs over 17 innings this campaign ... Cardinals OF Jon Jay was not with the team as he returned to St. Louis to have his injured right shoulder examined ... Pittsburgh OF Jose Tabata recorded his second two-hit performance of the series.