MLB: St. Louis 5, Pittsburgh 1

PITTSBURGH, May 14 (UPI) -- Colby Rasmus gave St. Louis the early lead with a two-run homer Thursday and the Cardinals consistently worked out of trouble to down Pittsburgh 5-1.

The Pirates managed a lone run on 12 hits. They left 10 men on base, hit into three double plays and had another runner thrown out trying to go from first to third on a single.

St. Louis avoided a three-game sweep and won for just the second time in six games.

Rasmus hit his homer in the second inning and Albert Pujols delivered a two-run single in the eighth.

St. Louis starter Mitchell Boggs allowed the Pittsburgh run, but gave up nine hits and was removed after 4 1/3 innings. Trever Miller (1-0) got the victory by pitching one inning of relief.

The loss went to Jeff Karstens (1-2), who surrendered three runs on seven hits in three innings.