Brandon Moss' RBI double in the 12th inning scored Adam LaRoche from first -- yes, LaRoche all the way from first -- as the Pirates outlasted the St. Louis Cardinals, 7-6, tonight before 17,132 at PNC Park.

Seven relievers -- Denny Bautista, Sean Burnett, Tyler Yates, John Grabow, Matt Capps (two), Jesse Chavez and Craig Hansen -- combined for eight scoreless innings in relief of Ian Snell. The Cardinals had only one hit after the fifth inning.

LaRoche drew a full-count walk off Chris Perez with two outs in the 12th, and Moss worked his count full, too, before lashing a fastball off the fence in right-center. LaRoche, the Pirates' slowest runner, had broken on the play because of the count and scored easily.

Snell had mowed down the Cardinals Aug. 19 at Busch Stadium, but this was different from the first pitch: He toiled, his stuff was off, and he wound up charged with six runs and nine hits -- including Felipe Lopez's two-run home run -- in lasting just four innings and leaving with a 6-2 deficit.

But the Pirates, who included their ability to generate comebacks as a throw-in with those Xavier Nady/Jason Bay trades, showed rare life after getting down by opening the fifth with five consecutive hits to chase St. Louis starter Adam Wainwright and tie, 6-6. The rally included RBI doubles by Nate McLouth and Ryan Doumit -- his brought two -- and an RBI single by Adam LaRoche.

There might have been more, too, but for some dubious work by home plate umpire Paul Emmel.

With men at second and third and two outs, Jason Michaels drew three balls from Russ Springer. The fourth pitch, well low and well outside, was called a strike by Emmel. Michaels took a few slow steps toward first before returning to the box, visibly displeased. The next pitch, also low and outside though not as much, was called strike two.

As seemed eminently predictable, next was a called strike three.

And, just as predictable, Michaels instantly erupted. He spun toward Emmel and shouted something that drew an immediate ejection, then fired his batting helmet into the grass with enough force that wound up near the dugout. Those two and manager John Russell talked for nearly the entire inning break but with cooler tones.

Perhaps the Pirates' offensive surge should not have been a surprise, given their offensive punch against the Cardinals all summer, including four double-digit outputs.

"We've been able to get a few runs off them this season, for some reason," Russell said beforehand. "There always seems to be some teams that have others' numbers, and we've had theirs a few times."

He laughed.

"I wish we could have played the same way against the Cubs and Brewers."

Snell was bumped ahead a day -- but still pitching on four days' rest -- when Jeff Karstens reported to the ballpark with heavy swelling in the mouth from a dental procedure Friday. Karstens will pitch Tuesday, and Jason Davis will come out of the bullpen today.