MLB: St. Louis 2, Pittsburgh 1 (10 inn.)

PITTSBURGH, Sept. 5 (UPI) -- Albert Pujols hit a pinch solo homer in the 10th inning Saturday, boosting the St. Louis Cardinals to a 2-1 win over the Pittsburgh Pirates.

The homer, Pujols' major league-leading 44th this season, led off the top of the 10th when he batted for third baseman Khalil Greene.

Andy LaRoche's sixth-inning error pulled St. Louis into a 1-1 tie with one out in the top of the sixth.

The winner for the Cardinals, who have won seven of eight, was Blake Hawksworth (2-0). Closer Ryan Franklin earned his 37th save despite walking two batters in the bottom of the tenth.

Pittsburgh's run scored on a fourth-inning double by Lastings Milledge.

He and Garrett Jones had two hits for the Pirates, who have lost nine in a row.

The losing pitcher was closer Matt Capps (3-8).