PITTSBURGH, June 30 (UPI) -- Pinch-hitter Bobby Hill delivered a two-out, RBI single in the ninth inning Wednesday to give Pittsburgh a 6-5 win over St. Louis.
Jose Mesa blew a save opportunity for the first time this season, but the Pirates still came through to sweep the three-game series.
Pittsburgh extended its winning streak to five games, the club's longest in two seasons. The Pirates also swept a home series from the Cardinals for the first time in 12 years.
Mesa (2-0) had been 18 for 18 in save opportunities before failing to hold a 5-4 lead in the ninth inning, although he did escape a bases-loaded, none-out jam with just one run scoring.
Julian Tavarez (2-2), the losing pitcher in Monday night's series opener, relieved Matt Morris to start the bottom of the ninth and retired the first two batters.
But Jack Wilson singled to left and raced to third on a single to right by Rob Mackowiak. Hill then came in to line a 2-1 pitch to right.
