Bucs continue set in St. Louis

Veteran right-hander Jake Westbrook aims for a first career game series at Busch Stadium.

Westbrook has made 259 big-league appearances and recorded 83 victories, but is 0-3 in seven outings - three starts - against Pittsburgh, allowing 14 earned runs on 26 hits in 23 2/3 innings while striking out 14.

His earned run average against the Pirates is 5.32, nearly a full run higher than his lifetime mark since he debuted with the New York Yankees in 2000.

Most recently, Westbrook dropped a 6-2 decision at Pittsburgh on Aug. 15 after allowing five runs on nine hits in 5 2/3 innings.

He bounced back for a 6-2 win against the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field in his next appearance six days later - reaching 10 wins for the second straight year and the fifth time in his career.

Westbrook will be opposed by 26-year-old righty James McDonald, who tossed 5 2/3 innings of two-run ball in the defeat of the Cardinals on Aug. 15. The triumph lifted the California-born McDonald to 2-1 in seven outings against St. Louis with a 3/05 ERA in 20 2/3 innings.

It was the third win in four decisions as well in a stretch that's extended his career-high win total to eight.

McDonald's previous watermark for victories had been the five he posted with the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2009.

The Pirates are 5-5 in his last 10 starts.

In Thursday's opener to this set, Matt Holliday sealed a win with a three-run home run in the eighth inning, propelling the Cards to an 8-4 victory.

Allen Craig added two hits and scored twice as St. Louis snapped a three-game losing streak.

Edwin Jackson (3-2) went six innings, allowing four runs -- one earned -- on six hits and three walks for the win.

Charlie Morton (9-7) allowed five runs on nine hits and two walks through 4 1/3 innings in Pittsburgh's sixth defeat in nine games.

Pittsburgh has split its 10 matchups with the Cardinals this season.