PITTSBURGH, July 23 (UPI) -- Lance Berkman socked a three-run homer and Jamie Garcia hurled 7 1/3 strong innings for St. Louis Saturday in the Cardinals' 9-1 rout of Pittsburgh.
With the Cardinals clinging to a 2-1 lead in the fifth inning, Albert Pujols knocked in Skip Schumaker with a single and one out later Berkman launched a blast over the center field fence to break the contest open.
Yadier Molina drove in runs with a second-inning single and solo homer for the Cardinals, who came into the game tied with Pittsburgh for second place in the National League Central, one game behind Milwaukee.
Garcia (10-4) won for the fourth time in five starts, limiting the Pirates to eight hits, walking one and fanning five while lowering his ERA to 3.01.
Pirates starter Kevin Correia (11-8) was lit up for seven runs on eight hits before exiting after only 4 2/3 frames.
