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. Wholesale Basketball Jerseys . -- Teemu Selanne scored the first goal of his 22nd NHL season, and the Anaheim Ducks extended the best start in franchise history with their fifth straight victory, 3-2 over the Calgary Flames on Wednesday night. NBA Jerseys Wholesale . -- Stanford squashed Oregons national championship hopes again, schooling the Ducks in power football. http://www.cheapnbaauthenticjerseys.com/ .Y. - Detroit goaltender Jonas Gustavsson has earned NHL first star of the week honours after winning in his first three appearances of the season. NBA Jerseys China . Ryan Garbutt had a goal and two assists as Dallas snapped a six-game losing streak with a 5-2 victory over the Edmonton Oilers on Tuesday night. Stitched NBA Jerseys . Cuban testified Thursday that he was upset when the companys CEO told him news that would reduce the value of his shares, for which hed paid $7.5 million. But he said he did nothing improper when he sold those shares over the next two days.Surrey Storm survived a late onslaught by Manchester Thunder to successfully defend their Vitality Netball Superleague title with a 55-53 win in the Grand Final. Storm had comfortably led Thunder throughout an exhilarating contest at the Copper Box Arena in London until the final quarter when Dan Ryans side staged a remarkable comeback.The 2014 winners reduced the deficit to just one goal with seconds remaining before Rachel Dunn made sure of victory as Storm held on to make it back-to-back titles. Kathryn Ratnapala and Pamela Cookey were delighted with Storms success Storm head coach Kathryn Ratnapala said it was a dream come true as she hailed her sides winning display on the biggest stage.I cant actually believe it, she told Sky Sports 5. What a dream true. Its been a very short but very intense season. Everyone has played a massive part and I really couldnt have asked for anymore from the squad - what an amazing season.It was all about sticking to our plan and structure. They have played a solid season and the fact that we were underdogs, it really didnt matter. Reaction from both camps after Surrey Storm successfully defend their Superleague title Surrey made a blistering start to the match, piling the pressure on favourites Manchester, who were unable to deal with the early storm. They opened up a 10-point advantage at one point thanks in large to some prolific shooting from Dunn and the experienced Pamela Cookey.But Thunder showed plenty of fighting spirit to claw their way back into the contest and reduce the deficit to six - 15-9 - with Ellie Carrdwell and Helen Housby at the fore.dddddddddddd Rachel Dunn helped Surrey retain their Superleague title Emma Dovey replaced Jodie Gibson for Thunder as coach Dan Ryan looked to shore up his leaky defence, but Storm, who were competing in their third consecutive Grand Final, were taking no prisoners.They maintained their 10-point lead and then turned on the afterburners with Dunn - 100 per cent with her goal shooting - landing another from distance on the half-time buzzer. Storm beat Thunder 55-53 at the Copper Box Arena Storm headed into the third quarter with a 32-19 advantage and Thunder were now looking for miracles.Ryan made positional changes with Kathryn Turner on for Ellie Cardwell with Housby made the focal point of their attack. Laura Malcolm was also replaced by Gabby Marshall at Wing Defence.Surrey held a 13-goal advantage which was halved by Manchester. They headed into the final quarter leading 43-36. Surrey players celebrate victory at the final hooter With the pressure on, Storm head coach Ratnapala brought on Josie Huckle as Goal Keeper with captain Hannah Reid moved into Goal Defence. Katt Ainsworth also replaced Georgia Lees as they looked to shut up shop.But Thunder roared out of the blocks with the momentum in their court, reducing the lead to three goals with under two minutes remaining.Housby, the hero from two years ago, made it a one-goal game with under 30 seconds on the clock, but Surrey showed supreme composure by holding onto the ball and running down the clock. It was left to Dunn to score the final goal and secure victory in dramatic fashion.Player of the match Pamela Cookey