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Pirates open homestand with win over Cardinals

Aug 16, 2011 - 3:57 AM Pittsburgh, PA (Sports Network) - Ryan Doumit went 4-for-4 with a three-run homer to power the Pirates past the Cardinals, 6-2, in the first of a three- game set at PNC Park.

Xavier Paul also homered and Neil Walker added an RBI double for Pittsburgh, which opened a 10-game homestand against NL Central opponents. The Pirates, who snapped a three-game skid overall, went 0-7 on their last stay at PNC Park.

James McDonald (8-6) gave up two runs on six hits in 5 2/3 innings to earn the win.

Matt Holliday had two doubles, while Rafael Furcal and David Freese each drove in a run for St. Louis, which lost for the second time in five games.

Jake Westbrook (9-7) was pegged with the loss after surrendering five runs -- four earned -- on nine hits in 5 2/3 innings.

"They definitely capitalized on the mistakes I made tonight," Westbrook said. "I felt strong about my sinker. It's a little frustrating to get hurt with my fifth-best pitch. I needed to be good tonight and I wasn't."

The defeat left the Cardinals six games behind the first-place Brewers in the NL Central.

Pittsburgh jumped out to a lead in the first when Paul hit a leadoff homer. Paul drove the 0-1 offering to deep left-center, and the ball took a favorable bounce off the top of the fence and into the visitors' bullpen.

The Cardinals tied the game in the third. Ryan Theriot singled, moved to second on a sacrifice bunt, then scored when Furcal doubled to right-center.

But the Bucs answered back in the fourth, adding three runs to take a 4-1 lead. Walker singled and Garrett Jones doubled, setting the table for Doumit's sixth homer of the season, a shot to right-center.

"Big night for Ryan swinging the bat," Pirates manager Clint Hurdle said. "He squared up four balls."

St. Louis came back with a run in the sixth. Albert Pujols singled, moved to second when Lance Berkman walked with two away, then scored on Freese's single to left-center.

The Pirates added runs in both the sixth and seventh. With Walker on third, Ronny Cedeno roped a grounder to short. Walker broke for home and the Cardinals had a good chance to get him out at the plate, but catcher Yadier Molina was unable to handle Furcal's low throw. The ball bounced up the line, allowing Walker to score.

In the seventh, Ryan Ludwick walked before Walker laced a double off the wall in right-center to give Pittsburgh a commanding 6-2 lead.

Game Notes

The Pirates are 48-7 this season when leading after six innings...The Cardinals are 56-32 all-time at PNC Park...Westbrook had lasted at least six innings in his last five starts.