Matt Carpenter added a two-run homer in the second for the NL Central leaders, who have won 12 in a row at home in the final month of the season dating to last Sept. 14. Of their 10 runs in the first two games of this series, seven have come in the first two innings. The Cardinals are 9-4 this month and took a 3 1-2 game lead over Pittsburgh.

Wilin Rosario, Josh Rutledge and pinch-hitter Michael McHenry had an RBI apiece in the ninth and the Rockies put the tying run on second before Pat Neshek got pinch-hitter Rafael Ynoa to fly out for his sixth save in nine chances.