MLB: St. Louis 10, Pittsburgh 7

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ST. LOUIS, May 2 (UPI) -- David Freese slammed a three-run homer and Rafael Furcal added a two-run shot for St. Louis Tuesday, helping the Cardinals beat Pittsburgh 10-7.

Freese's blast highlighted a big fifth inning in which the Cardinals scored five times to break the contest open, while Furcal went deep in the seventh for a 10-4 advantage.

Matt Holliday went 3-for-4 with a solo homer and two RBI and Yadier Molina scored three times, as the National League Central-leading Cards won for the fourth time in five games.

Adam Wainwright (1-3) recorded his first victory of 2012 despite allowing four runs on five hits over seven innings. He issued one walk and struck out six.

Pirates starter Charlie Morton (1-2) was roughed up for six runs (five earned) on eight hits before being yanked after 4 1/3 frames.

Jose Tabata and Pedro Alvarez each cracked a two-run homer for the Bucs, who dropped the opener of a three-game set at Busch Stadium.