DeJong rips 3 home runs

PITTSBURGH — Paul DeJong hit a career-high three home runs, including one during a nine-run second inning, and the Cardinals walloped the Pirates 14-8 on Wednesday night.

DeJong, Andrew Knizner and Paul Goldschmidt each hit two-run homers in the second while the Cardinals batted around against starter Jordan Lyles (5-7). The Cardinals also had five doubles for a total of eight extra-base hits in the inning, tying a major league record.

Goldschmidt started the second by reaching on an error and came around on DeJong’s homer to left-center. After back-to-back doubles, Knizner hit his first career home run. A walk and a double scored another before Goldschmidt smashed an estimated 437-foot home run to the second deck in left to chase Lyles.

DeJong also doubled in the second, connected for a two-run homer in the fourth and hit a solo shot in the eighth. He finished 4-for-4 with five RBIs and four runs. The 25-year-old is the youngest Cardinals hitter with a three-homer game since 24-year-old Albert Pujols in 2004, MLB.com said.

Cardinals starter Adam Wainwright (7-7) used 105 pitches to get through five innings and gave up four runs, five hits and four walks while striking out five.

Pirates position players Jose Osuna and Jacob Stallings pitched the final three innings, allowing one run on DeJong’s solo homer off Osuna in the eighth. Osuna ran his fastball up to 93.1 mph.

The Cardinals have won 10 of 13 since the All-Star break and have won seven straight in Pittsburgh dating to last season.