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(AP) - Kyle Lohse scattered six hits while pitching into the eighth inning to lead the St. Louis Cardinals past the Pittsburgh Pirates 5-1 on Sunday.

David Freese had a two-run single for the Cardinals and Rafael Furcal had three hits as St. Louis extended its strong start behind another superb outing from Lohse (3-0).

The veteran right-hander struck out five without issuing a walk, though his ERA actually ticked up from 0.89 to 0.99.

Pittsburgh's Erik Bedard (0-4) gave up three runs on six hits, walking four and striking out seven in seven innings but was againundone by a lack of support.

The Pirates have scored three runs combined in Bedard's four starts.

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