ST. LOUIS, Aug. 19 (UPI) -- Tike Redman scored on a 10th inning fielding error by third baseman Scott Rolen to lift Pittsburgh to a 3-2 win over St. Louis Thursday night.
Oliver Perez struck out 10 and gave up an unearned run on four hits in seven innings but failed to earn his third straight victory for the Pirates, who won for the fifth time in their last six games.
Jose Mesa (5-1) earned the victory despite allowing the game-tying run in the ninth, and John Grabow worked the 10th for his first save of the season.
Reggie Sanders forced extra innings with a homer in the ninth for the Cardinals, who have lost two straight and fell for just the fourth time in their last 15.
Pittsburgh scored the winning run after loading the bases with two out in the top of the 10th against Steve Kline (2-2). Redman, who had walked, scored when Rolen misplayed a hard grounder by pinch-hitter Jose Bautista.
