ST. LOUIS — Alec Burleson hit a game-ending solo homer with two out in the ninth inning, lifting the St. Louis Cardinals to a 7-6 victory over the Pittsburgh Pirates on Monday.

Burleson drove an 87 mph slider from Dennis Santana (4-5) deep to center for his 16th homer. It was his fourth hit of the night.

It was the first run allowed by Santana since Aug. 6. The right-hander surrendered three hits in 6 1/3 scoreless innings over his previous six appearances.

Willson Contreras had two RBIs for St. Louis, which had dropped eight of 11. Michael McGreevy permitted four runs and six hits in six innings.

Bryan Reynolds and Spencer Horwitz hit back-to-back homers for Pittsburgh in the third.

St. Louis grabbed the lead with five runs in the fifth. Contreras hit a tying two-run single and score

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