PITTSBURGH (93-7 The FAN) — Four errors were enough to bury the Pirates Tuesday night, as they lost their series opener at St. Louis, 10-7.

A two-run home run by Jose Tabata couldn’t help salvage the game. Nor could one from Pedro Alvarez, his sixth of the season and second in as many games.

Three late runs in the final two innings couldn’t give the Buccos a big enough surge either.

That’s because sloppy defensive play compounded a bad pitching night, resulting in three St. Louis home runs and a series-opening win that felt much bigger than the final score indicated.

David Freese broke open a 2-2 game in the fifth inning with a three-run homer to give the Cardinals a 5-2 lead. Matt Holliday added a solo shot in the sixth and Rafael Furcal hit a two-run dagger in the seventh.

Furcal’s shot came just after Pirates third baseman Pedro Alvarez hit a two-run homer in the top of the seventh to give Pittsburgh life and cut its deficit to 7-4.

After a Garrett Jones error in the first inning, errors by shortstop Clint Barmes in the fourth and Alvarez and catcher Rod Barajas in the seventh led to St. Louis runs.

Pirates starting pitcher Charlie Morton lasted just 4 1/3 innings, allowing six runs (five earned) on eight hits and a home run.

Pirates relievers didn’t fare much better. Jared Hughes gave up three runs in two innings and Tony Watson allowed another in just 1/3 of an inning. Both surrendered homers.

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