The Cardinals scored 10 runs in the first two innings as they beat the Pirates for the 12th time in 15 meetings this season, with four remaining. They have won the season series from the Pirates for the past nine seasons and 20 of the past 23 dating to 2000.
Left-hander Jordan Montgomery, who hadn’t made it through the sixth in his three most recent starts, pitched an efficient six innings, striking out five and allowing two runs and four hits. He threw 59 strikes and only 28 called balls out of 87 pitches.
Corey Dickerson punctuated a six-run first with his second career grand slam.