(AP) -- Allen Craig homered twice to break out of a slump and lead the St. Louis Cardinals to a 7-2 victory over the Pittsburgh Pirates on Wednesday night.
Craig went 4 for 5 with three RBIs and Yadier Molina added three hits for the Cardinals, who are trying to stay within shouting distance of front-running Milwaukee in the NL Central.
Craig was hitless in his last 11 at-bats before he connected for a two-run homer against Paul Maholm in the first.
He added a solo shot in the seventh off Brad Lincoln.
Kyle Lohse (11-7) picked up his 99th career victory by pitching seven solid innings.
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