LaRoche hit what first base umpire Lance Barksdale originally ruled a two-run home run to right field in the first inning, though the ball bounced back onto the field. The umpires huddled in the middle of the infield after LaRoche rounded the bases and decided to review the play, a process that became part of the rules last August.

Barksdale, second base umpire Alfonso Marquez and third base umpire Randy Marsh, the crew chief, left the field to review the play in a tunnel off the Pirates' dugout. They emerged two minutes later, and Marsh pointed toward second base, indicating LaRoche had been awarded a double because the ball hit the railing in front of the stands at PNC Park.

"It figures," LaRoche said with a smile. "If I would have been able to put money on it, I would have put a lot of money on myself being the first guy to lose a home run. It's my luck."

Coincidentally, Florida's Ross Gload also lost a home run on a video replay later Wednesday night in a game at Milwaukee.

Though LaRoche's home run turned into an RBI double, the Pirates made the point moot.

"I thought they made the right call initially, but then I thought maybe I missed it, so it was the right thing to review it," LaRoche said. "I'm just glad we ended up winning. If getting a call reversed would cost you a game, that'd be tough to deal with even if the umps got it right."

PIRATES 5, CARDINALS 2: Ross Ohlendorf (4-3) won for the fourth time in five decisions as he allowed only one run and two hits in six innings. Jack Wilson had three hits to lead the Pirates' 11-hit attack, while Nyjer Morgan's two-run single capped a three-run sixth that put the Pirates ahead 5-2. Matt Capps got the last two outs for his sixth save in seven opportunities.