ST. LOUIS (KDKA/AP) — A three-run homer in the eighth inning sealed the Pirates’ fate in their 8-4 loss to the St. Louis Cardinals on Thursday night.

Charlie Morton (9-7) lasted just four and 1-3 innings, giving up nine hits and five runs, raising his ERA to 3.63.

St. Louis’ Edwin Jackson (10-9) allowed one earned run and struck out two in six innings.

The Buccos tied it 3-3 in the third after Alex Presley had an RBI single.

After Jackson (3.94 ERA) walked Andrew McCutchen and Neil Walker, Garrett Jones’ single drove in two runs.

Pittsburgh took a 4-3 lead in the fourth when Mike McKenry doubled, batting in Ronny Cedeno.

St. Louis made it 5-4 when David Freese drove in a run in the fifth. Then, Matt Holliday made it 8-4 after hitting a three-run homer in the eighth off reliever Tony Watson.

The Cardinals ended a three-game losing streak and moved within 9½ games of idle Milwaukee in the NL Central.

Pittsburgh lost for the sixth time in nine games.