Lohse shoots for milestone win in finale with Pirates

Cardinals right-hander Kyle Lohse goes after his 100th game series against the Pirates.

Lohse gave up a season-high eight runs in just three innings in 13-2 loss vs. the Dodgers on Tuesday. Lohse saw his season ERA jump from 3.33 to 3.73.

On the positive side, Lohse is still 3-1 in his last six starts and he has a career record of 6-2 with a 3.50 ERA in 12 career starts (13 games) vs. the Pirates.

Jeff Karstens, who is 1-3 over his last seven starts, gets the ball this afternoon for the Pirates. The right-hander is coming off an 8-1 loss to the Brewers in the opener of a doubleheader on Monday when he gave up six hits and a pair of runs over seven innings.

Karstens is 5-2 with a 3.03 ERA in 13 appearances (11 starts) this year on the road. Despite taking the loss in his last start, he has compiled a 1.50 ERA in his last six starts against NL Central teams. He's 1-1 with a 2.19 ERA in five games (4 starts) vs. St. Louis.

Yesterday, Josh Harrison went 3-for-4 with three RBI and Brad Lincoln tossed six scoreless innings, as the Pirates won, 7-0.

Neil Walker hit a solo homer for the Pirates, who snapped a two-game skid. Garrett Jones went 3-for-4 with an RBI and two runs scored.

Lincoln (1-0) allowed just six hits in his second career victory. He also went 1-for-2 at the plate with an RBI and run scored.

"Just a superb outing," Pirates manager Clint Hurdle said of Lincoln. "He had one walk, it wasn't until the sixth inning. Very efficient."

St. Louis starter Chris Carpenter (8-9) gave up six runs on nine hits over five innings to take the loss. He struck out five and walked two.

"Carp is usually a pitch-maker. He gave up some runs with two outs," Cardinals manager Tony La Russa said. "He had a guy ahead in the count a couple of times. He just had a rough day."

The season series is even after 12 games. St. Louis will return to Pittsburgh once more this season, September 12-14.