Milwaukee, WI (Sports Network) - Ryan Ludwick hit a two-run single in the top of the ninth inning, as the St. Louis Cardinals snapped a season-high three-game losing streak with a 5-3 victory over the Milwaukee Brewers.

St. Louis starter Joel Pineiro allowed two runs on four hits and three walks, striking out four through 6 1/3 innings. He loaded the bases in the seventh before departing and was charged with two runs after Kyle McClellan walked two with the bases loaded.

Chris Duncan hit a two-run homer and Skip Schumaker had two hits, a run scored and a run batted in. Brendan Ryan added three hits and a run scored for St. Louis who is 6-4 over its last 10 games.

"We've done that several times as a team," Cardinals manager Tony La Russa said. "Where the day before we're heart-broken but we come out fresh the next day. It's very gratifying."

Milwaukee starter Ben Sheets tossed seven innings of three-run ball on nine hits and one walk, striking out six.

Prince Fielder hit a game-tying home run in the eighth and Ryan Braun had three hits for Milwaukee who lost after snapping a season-high six-game losing streak on Friday.

Eric Gagne (1-2) came on in the ninth for Milwaukee and gave up back-to-back singles to Ryan and Schumaker to open the frame. Miles grounded out moving the runners to second and third and Albert Pujols got the intentional free pass to load the bases. Gagne got Rick Ankiel to pop out to first for the second out but Ryan Ludwick drove a single to left scoring Ryan and Schumaker to put the Cards up two.

Ryan Franklin came on in the ninth and gave up a two-out double to Braun but Fielder grounded out to end the game. Franklin got his second save of the year in place of Jason Isringhausen who was removed from the closer's role earlier in the day. The team announced that Franklin and Russ Springer will share the role.

"I just treat it like the eighth inning," Franklin said. "I just have to get three outs. It doesn't matter what inning he (La Russa) puts me out there."

St. Louis sent Ron Villone to the mound in the eighth and Fielder greeted him with a leadoff home run to right, tying the game at three. Springer (1-0) came on for Villone and retired Hart before walking Bill Hall and giving up a single to J.J. Hardy. Joe Dillon pinch-hit for Guillermo Mota and walked to load the bases with one out. Brewers manager Ned Yost called for the squeeze play, a sign Jason Kendall missed and Hall was picked off trying to come home for the second out. The runners moved to second and third on the play but Kendall grounded out two pitches later to end the inning.

"I missed the sign," Kendall said. "You just can't do that, it's unacceptable. The bottom line is I missed it and that cost us the game."

The Cardinals struck first in the third. Yadier Molina singled to start the frame. Ryan doubled to left with one out, moving the runner to third before Schumaker grounded out scoring Molina. Ryan moved to third on the play but Aaron Miles flied out to end the inning.

St. Louis padded their lead one inning later. Ankiel singled to left with one out and Duncan followed with a home run to right, his third of the year, to make it 3-0.

Milwaukee finally got things going in the seventh, loading the bases against Pineiro with one out. Corey Hart singled to start things off. Hall struck out and Hardy drew a walk. Tony Gwynn Jr. came on to pinch-hit for Sheets and singled to load the bases and chased Pineiro with only one out.

McClellan came on in relief and walked Kendall on four pitches to plate Hart for Milwaukee's first run. Rickie Weeks grounded into a force play with Hardy out at home and the runners advancing to keep them loaded. Mike Cameron then drew a walk to plate Gwynn for their second run. Braun flied out to center to end the inning but the Brewers cut the lead to one.