(Best E Casino) - Kyle Lohse takes aim at win No. 11 this evening when the St. Louis Cardinals open a three-game series with the Pittsburgh Pirates at PNC Park.

Lohse, signed by the Cardinals right near the end of spring training, has been sensational for St. Louis this season, having gone 10-2 with a 3.61 earned run average. He extended his unbeaten streak to 11 games on Saturday with a no- decision against the Chicago Cubs, as he allowed two runs and six hits in seven innings of a 5-4 win.

The 29-year-old right-hander received a no-decision the last time he faced the Pirates, but is 2-0 against them in his career with a 2.51 ERA in five games, four of which have been starts.

St. Louis enters tonight's opener after dropping two of three in Philadelphia, including a 4-1 setback in Thursday's rubber match at Citizens Bank Park. Yadier Molina knocked in the sole run for the Cardinals, who have dropped five of seven.

Braden Looper (9-7) gave up four runs on seven hits in six innings, with two strikeouts and a walk, to take the loss.

Pittsburgh picked up a big win over the New York Yankees on Thursday, as Nate McLouth hit a two-run home run and Paul Maholm threw eight solid innings, lifting the Bucs to a 4-2 win in a makeup game.

The Pirates split their first two games with the Yanks, but the finale was rained out on June 26. The contest actually got underway, but was called in the top of the third inning with the Yankees leading 3-1.

Maholm (6-5) yielded two runs and scattered seven hits for the Pirates, who have won three of their last four contests. Freddy Sanchez had the other two RBI for Pittsburgh in the win.

Hoping to keep the Pirates on the winning track tonight will be lefty Zach Duke, who is 4-5 with a 4.23 ERA. Duke was roughed up by the Milwaukee Brewers on Sunday, surrendering six runs (five earned) and seven hits in just 2 1/3 innings. However, he did not factor in the decision of that 11-6 loss.

Duke lost to the Cards back on May 30 and is 2-3 lifetime against them with a 3.86 ERA in eight starts.

Pittsburgh has won five of its nine matchups with the Cards this season, but St. Louis has won eight of its last 11 in the Steel City dating back to last season.