Cardinals End Losing Streak Against Pirates

Luis Alicea drove in three runs and the St. Louis Cardinals ended a 13-game losing streak against Pittsburgh, slowing the Pirates’ drive for a third straight NL East title with a 5-4 victory Tuesday night.

The loss means the Pirates -- who entered the game with a season high-tying 7-game lead -- cannot clinch the division title during their two-game series in Montreal on Wednesday and Thursday. The Pirates’ magic number for clinching the NL East is five.

Pinch-hitter Craig Wilson drove in the deciding run in the sixth inning as the Cardinals beat Pittsburgh for just the third time in 18 games this season. The Pirates had won five straight and seven of their previous eight and are now 15-6 in September.

The Pirates, trying for their fourth consecutive series sweep of St. Louis, took a 4-3 lead in the fifth on starting pitcher Danny Jackson’s RBI single and Andy Van Slyke’s run-scoring grounder.

St. Louis retook the lead in the sixth following Todd Zeile’s leadoff walk and Tracy Woodson’s double. Alicea, who had a two-run single in the fourth, scored Zeile with a sacrifice fly and Tom Pagnozzi singled up the middle.

Wilson was credited with an RBI when third baseman Jeff King mishandled his grounder, scoring Woodson with the go-ahead run and giving Rheal Cormier (8-10) his fifth victory in his last five decisions. Cormier allowed four runs, all earned, and seven hits, struck out three and walked none over five innings.

Mike Perez followed with two scoreless relief innings before Todd Worrell pitched the eighth and Lee Smith -- who was 0-3 with a 9.64 ERA in three appearances this season against the Pirates -- finished up for his 40th save.

It’s his second straight season with 40 saves.

Danny Jackson (7-12) gave up five runs on eight hits, struck out none and walked three over 5 1-3 innings.

Barry Bonds, batting .542 in his last nine games, extended his hitting streak to 11 by doubling and scoring on King’s single in the second. Geronimo Pena had a run-scoring double in the third for St. Louis and Van Slyke doubled and scored.