ST. LOUIS, Sept. 14 (UPI) -- Brad Eldred hit two solo homers and Jason Bay had three hits, including a homer, and two RBI Wednesday, as the Pittsburgh Pirates beat St. Louis, 5-3.
Tike Redman had two hits and drove in a run for the Pirates, who snapped a four-game skid and won for just the fourth time in their last 19 games. Pittsburgh's bullpen was forced to work 7 1/3 innings after starting pitcher Oliver Perez was ejected.
Einar Diaz had two hits and an RBI for St. Louis, which lost for just the second time in seven games.
The defeat temporarily halted the Cardinals from clinching at least a tie for the NL Central title. A victory by the Cards and a loss by Houston tonight would have sewn up the division for St. Louis.
Ryan Vogelsong (2-1), who came in to relieve Perez in the second inning, earned the win.
Jason Marquis (12-14) had his personal three-game winning streak halted after he allowed eight hits and four runs in six innings.
