ST. LOUIS -- For the second time since the All-Star break, Francisco Liriano had dazzling stuff against St. Louis. The lefty shook off the worst outing of his career and saved the Pittsburgh Pirates bullpen, too. "It was important because every game counts, especially after last night," Liriano said after throwing a four-hitter in a 5-1 victory over the Cardinals on Wednesday night. "It was a tough game last night and we had to put that one behind us and come ready to play." Pedro Alvarez and Garrett Jones homered for the Pirates, who snapped a season-worst four-game losing streak and took a three-game lead in the NL Central. The Pirates had a five-run cushion after four innings against rookie Shelby Miller, who didnt miss a turn five days after getting drilled on the elbow and lasting just two pitches against the Dodgers. Theyre 8-4 against the Cardinals heading into the series finale matching starters A.J. Burnett and Lance Lynn. "You give up five runs, you just get outpitched," Miller said. "I mean, its simple. I didnt do very good." Pittsburgh totalled just 10 runs during the losing streak and won in 2 hours, 30 minutes one night after losing 4-3 in 14 innings in a game that lasted 4:55. Pirates relievers worked eight innings Wednesday. Starling Marte was the goat in that loss after dropping a routine fly ball that would have been the second out in the ninth. He contributed a two-run double. "Everybody tried to help me," Marte said. "What happened last night, I was feeling bad and somebody told me to keep my head up and play." Liriano (13-5) struck out six and needed just 94 pitches and is 3-0 in his career against St. Louis. His last time out, the lefty was punished for 10 runs in 2 1-3 innings at Colorado. Against the Rockies, Liriano said he had no control. He carved up the Cardinals. "That was the mulligan," manager Clint Hurdle said. "What weve seen all year, hes just given us chances to win. Hes pitched deep into games, hes mixed pitches, hes really been in command when runners get on base." Matt Carpenter doubled and eventually scored on a groundout by Carlos Beltran in the ninth to snap Lirianos shutout bid. He settled for his second complete game of the year and third of his career. "You couldnt really tell what was coming out of his hand," Cardinals manager Mike Matheny said. "You could tell he had late life by the way the guys were reacting." Alvarez hit his 29th homer an estimated 440 feet to straightaway centre leading off the second against Miller (11-8), and with one out Jones lined his 11th over the right field wall estimated at 392 feet. Martes hit capped a three-run fourth, with two of the runs unearned due to a fielding error by third baseman David Freese. Miller gave up two homers for the fourth time and has lost all of those starts, twice against Pittsburgh. In six innings, he gave up five runs, three earned, on eight hits. Liriano retired the side in order six times, twice with the help of double plays. A third double play helped him escape without damage in the second when the Cardinals got two of their hits. In the three starts prior to his clunker at Colorado, Liriano allowed one earned run over 21 2-3 innings in winning three straight starts. The Cardinals are 3-6 with one game to go on a 10-game homestand that began with series losses to the Cubs and Dodgers. Michael Wacha, one of St. Louis top pitching prospects, made his first career relief appearance and struck out four in two scoreless innings. Notes: The Pirates have outscored the Cardinals 14-2 in Lirianos two starts this year. ... Tabata missed his second straight start but entered as a defensive replacement in right field in the eighth. He was scratched with flu-like symptoms Tuesday. ... The Cardinals left a season-high 17 runners on base Tuesday night. ... Matt Holliday has 17 hits during an 11-game hitting streak but also grounded into his major league-leading 27th double play. He also lined into a twin killing in the fourth. ... Nine of the homers off Miller have come with the bases empty. ... Alvarez has homered two of the last three games. He has 11 homers against the Cardinals in 46 career games. NFL Jerseys Outlet . Terms of the deal were not immediately available. The 26-year-old finished last season with Clevelands Triple-A affiliate in Columbus after signing with the Indians in August. Cheap China Jerseys . Burke is expected to miss two to three months after breaking a finger in the teams third preseason game. Tinsley, a 10-year veteran, spent the last two seasons in Utah, where the point guard averaged 3. http://www.wholesalecheapnflchinajerseys.com/ .ca. Hey Kerry, big fan of yours, just finished reading your book. I think that we all saw the Canucks/Flames line brawl just after puck drop. 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His wife, Karen Sharp, said her husband loved his job more than anything.When he was named a columnist in 1999, Sharp told readers that his job wasnt to blindly lead cheers or simply slam people from his perch.dddddddddddd He said he had a responsibility to raise questions and express doubts.His last column this week was about Michigan States basketball team.Sharp covered the Detroit Pistons for years before becoming a columnist. The team expressed its condolences. ' ' 'a on Gerrard... ' ' '