MLB: St. Louis 9, Arizona 6

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PHOENIX, May 8 (UPI) -- Rafael Furcal went 3-for-5 and hit the first of five homers for the St. Louis Cardinals Monday, who hung on to post a 9-6 victory over Arizona.

Furcal's solo blast ignited a three-run first inning and back-to-back solo shots by Carlos Beltran and Matt Holliday in the third put the Cardinals ahead 5-0.

St. Louis added two more in the next frame before the Diamondbacks responded with six runs in the sixth, highlighted by Cody Ransom's homer with a man aboard and a two-run double from Ryan Roberts.

The Cards got another set of back-to-back, bases-empty clouts from Allen Craig and David Freese in the seventh to seal their second straight win.

Lance Lynn (6-0) became the first major-leaguer to reach six wins this season. He threw five shutout frames, allowing three hits, walking four and striking out seven.

Jason Motte picked up his fifth save for the National League Central-leading Cardinals.

Arizona starter Joe Saunders (2-2) was tagged for seven runs (six earned) on nine hits, lasting just 3 1/3 innings.