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PITTSBURGH -- Just about everyone in the Pirates clubhouse was in a reflective mood after Pittsburgh ended its longest skid in five years.Jung Ho Kang led off the eighth inning with a home run, leading the Pirates to a 4-3 win over the St. Louis Cardinals on Wednesday night to snap an eight-game losing streak.Kang hit a drive deep into the bullpens in left-center off rookie Alex Reyes (1-1) for his 17th homer and third in two games. It helped snap the Pirates longest skid since dropping 10 straight in 2011.The third baseman returned from the disabled list Monday after missing 15 days with a sore left shoulder.I really, really reflected on myself and how much I really want to win and how much I really want to play baseball, Kang said of his time on the DL. I really spent good time thinking about that.The Cardinals are percentage points ahead of the New York Mets for the second NL wild card, and the Pirates pulled within 4 1/2 games of St. Louis.Trevor Williams (1-0) allowed one unearned run in three innings for the win in his major league debut. He shared an emotional moment with his father after the game.We hugged and shed a few tears together, Williams said. Its a moment Im never going to forget. To be able to have my father here, the man who has been with me every step of the way on my baseball journey, meant the world to me.Reyes gave up one run in 3 2/3 innings and also singled off Williams in the seventh for his first major league hit.Tony Watson worked a perfect ninth inning for his 11th save after blowing his previous two opportunities, including Tuesday night when he allowed three home runs in the ninth inning of a 9-7 loss.Ive been in this situation before where you give up some and then you sit around for a couple days, Watson said. Its good to get back out there. Its good to get the win, most importantly, and end this losing streak.The Cardinals ended a streak of 25 consecutive games with a home run, a club record.Pirates starter Jameson Taillon pitched five innings. The rookie gave up two runs, six hits and a walk with five strikeouts.Mike Leake went 4 1/3 innings in his first start for the Cardinals since Aug. 21 after being sidelined by the shingles virus. He gave up three runs, nine hits and a walk while striking out three.I wasnt locating as well as I know as I can, Leake said. Im sure being off a couple of weeks played a factor. Now Im back on track and ready for the next one.The Cardinals Yadier Molina scored in the sixth to make it 3-3. Molina reached second base when right fielder Adam Frazier dropped his fly ball, then scored on a single by Randal Grichuk.TRAINERS ROOMCardinals: LF Matt Holliday (broken left thumb) was cleared to resume baseball activities and is hopeful of returning before the end of the regular season. He has been on the disabled list since Aug. 12.Pirates: LF Starling Marte sat out a second straight game because of back spasms. ... RHP Neftali Feliz, who was removed from Saturdays game with arm discomfort, is still unable to play catch and likely wont return until next week. ... C Elias Diaz, who was expected to be recalled Tuesday from Triple-A Indianapolis, has instead been shut down for the season after undergoing surgery for a bacterial infection in his left leg.CLEMENTE DAYA large contingent of Pirates players, coaches, executives and their wives visited Pittsburgh King PreK-8 School on Wednesday along with Roberto Clementes widow and three sons as part of Major League Baseballs annual Clemente Day celebration.The Hall of Fame right fielder spent his entire 18-year career with the Pirates from 1955-72. Clemente died in a plane crash on New Years Eve in 1972 off the coast of his native Puerto Rico while attempting to deliver supplies to earthquake-ravaged Nicaragua.UP NEXTCardinals: LHP Jaime Garcia (10-11, 4.41 ERA), who has lost his last three starts, faces Milwaukee RHP Junior Guerra (7-3, 2.85) on Thursday night in the opener of a four-game home series.Pirates: RHP Ivan Nova (11-6, 4.34) is 4-0 with a 2.89 ERA in six starts since being acquired from the New York Yankees in a trade Aug. 1. He starts against Cincinnati RHP Dan Straily (11-7, 3.83) to open a four-game home series Thursday. Air Max 95 Outlet Schweiz . Miikka Kiprusoff had just announced his retirement after a decade-long run in Calgary and it would be up to Berra and Ramo to fill the void. Air Max 95 Günstig . Didier Drogba gave away the penalty that put Senegal one goal away from a major upset, but the veteran striker will get another chance -- probably his last -- at the World Cup after Salomon Kalous injury-time strike sealed the Ivorians place in Brazil next year. http://www.airmax95schweiz.ch/ . The Islanders dealt Thomas Vanek to the Montreal Canadiens after less than a year on Long Island. Meanwhile, the Oilers dealt long-time sniper Ales hemsky to the Ottawa Senators on Wednesday for a fifth-round pick in 2014 and a third-rounder in 2015. Air Max 95 Schweiz . Roman Josi had a goal and an assist to lead the Predators to a 4-1 victory over the Dallas Stars on Monday night. Air Max 95 Günstig Schweiz .C. -- Glenn Howard needed an extra end to move into the Masters Grand Slam of Curling final.Arsene Wenger has defended his decision to start Alexis Sanchez in the 1-1 draw against Manchester United on Saturday, describing the Arsenal forward as remarkable. The Chile international played and scored twice in his countrys 3-1 World Cup qualifying victory over Uruguay last Tuesday, despite Wenger suggesting it would be suicidal to select him.Sanchez had been struggling for fitness after suffering a low grade calf muscle tear in training, and missed the World Cup Qualifier against Colombia five days before the clash with Uruguay because of the problem. Sanchez suffered a low grade calf muscle tear playing for Chile, but returned to feature at Old Trafford Despite his two goal showing for Chile, the 27-year-olds inclusion for the match at Old Trafford remained uncertain, having only reported back to training at Arsenal on Thursday.However, Wenger put Sanchez back into action and allowed him to complete 90 minutes, insisting the Chile international had the qualities to hurt Jose Mourinhos side. Sky Sports Black Friday sale Upgrade to Sky Sports now and get 12 months half price! Its very unusual [to play someone after that], Wenger told Arsenals official website. I chose him because Alexis is a guy who can take people on and I knew that would be a quality that would work. Hes always a player who is not scared of anybody.He is goood on the counterattack, good in short spaces as well.dddddddddddd Highlights: Man Utd 1-1 Arsenal He played very well in the first half but we didnt give him enough service in the second half because we dropped off too much and we played too many balls in our own half.We didnt give him enough support by coming out more. For a guy who played a decisive game on Wednesday morning, and then travelling after, its remarkable.Upgrade to Sky Sports now and get 12 months half price. Hurry, offer ends December 4! Also See: Wenger responsible for Sanchez Giroud salvages Arsenal a point WATCH: Man Utd 1-1 Arsenal Wenger hails mental toughness ' ' '