ST. LOUIS (AP) – David Freese had a go-ahead two-run single in the fifth and Matt Holliday hit a three-run homer, leading the St. Louis Cardinals to an 8-4 win over the Pittsburgh Pirates on Thursday night.  The Cardinals ended a three-game losing streak and moved within 9 1/2 games of idle Milwaukee in the NL Central.  Pittsburgh lost for the sixth time in nine games.  Freese blooped a bases-loaded hit down the right-field line with one out to put St. Louis in front to stay, 5-4. Allen Craig began the inning with a single. Pittsburgh starter Charlie Morton (9-7) then walked Albert Pujols and Lance Berkman.  Holliday hit a three-run homer in the eighth off reliever Tony Watson.
     St. Louis starter Edwin Jackson (10-9) allowed one earned run and struck out two in six innings.