Cardinals 7, Pirates 2: David Freese and Matt Holliday drove in two runs apiece while Joe Kelly tossed six strong innings as visiting St. Louis salvaged the finale of the crucial three-game series.

Allen Craig and Yadier Molina each recorded two hits and an RBI for the Cardinals, who snapped a three-game skid and forged a tie with Pittsburgh atop the National League Central.

St. Louis, which totaled one run during its losing streak, erupted for three against Kris Johnson (0-2) in the first as Craig and Molina delivered back-to-back RBI singles before Jon Jay lifted a sacrifice fly later in the inning. Freese stroked a two-run double in the third and Holliday plated two with a single in the sixth for a 7-0 lead.

Kelly (7-3) limited Pittsburgh to one run and four hits en route to winning his fourth straight start. The right-hander walked two and struck out five in improving to 7-0 in his last nine outings.

New additions Marlon Byrd and John Buck had RBI singles for the Pirates, who outscored the Cardinals 12-1 over the first two games of the series. Johnson was tagged for five runs and seven hits over two innings in his first major-league start.

GAME NOTEBOOK: Kelly has allowed fewer than two earned runs in seven of his last nine starts. ... Byrd, who had two of Pittsburgh's six hits, has recorded five RBIs in as many games since being acquired from the New York Mets on Tuesday. ... 1B Justin Morneau made his Pirates debut, going 1-for-3 with a walk. The former American League MVP was obtained from Minnesota on Saturday.