PITTSBURGH, Aug. 15 (UPI) -- Ryan Doumit went 4-for-4, including a three-run homer, for Pittsburgh Monday, powering the Pirates' 6-2 victory over St. Louis.
Doumit's blast came in the fourth inning and handed the Pirates 4-1 lead as Pittsburgh claimed the first contest in a three-game set at PNC Park.
Xavier Paul added a solo shot and Neil Walker contributed an RBI double for the Bucs, who recorded only their sixth win in 25 games.
James McDonald (8-6) broke a personal three-game winless streak, yielding a pair of runs on six hits 5 2/3 innings. Four Pirates relievers teamed up to blank the Cards over the final 3 1/3 frames.
Jake Westbrook (9-7) was tagged with the loss, yielding five runs (four earned) on nine hits over 5 2/3 frames.
Rafael Furcal and David Freese drove in runs for the Cards, who dropped six games behind first-place Milwaukee in the National League Central with the loss.
