PITTSBURGH (KDKA/AP) — The Pirates (58-64) dropped the ball against the Arizona Cardinals, losing 7-2 and falling short of a home series sweep on Wednesday night.

Lefty Paul Maholm (6-14) lasted five innings. He allowed three runs on eight hits and struck out one.

After being shutout over four innings, Jose Tabata came through with a home run in the bottom of the fifth and picked up two RBIs.

St. Louis’ Allen Craig broke out of a slump and homered twice.

Craig went 4 for 5 with three RBIs and Yadier Molina added three hits for the Cardinals, who are trying to stay within shouting distance of front-running Milwaukee in the NL Central.

Craig was hitless in his last 11 at-bats before he connected for a two-run homer against Maholm in the first. He added a solo shot in the seventh off Brad Lincoln.

Kyle Lohse (11-7) picked up his 99th career victory by pitching seven solid innings.