Fowler delivered the big hit in the seventh, lacing a two-run triple to right field off reliever Joaquin Benoit. The Pirates immediately threatened to rally, as Andrew McCutchen doubled and Josh Bell walked to begin the seventh. Then the Cardinals called upon reliever Matt Bowman, who retired the next three batters in order to end the inning.
The Cardinals piled on in the ninth and snapped their three-game losing streak, pulling within 1 1/2 games of the National League Central-leading Cubs.