And the beat goes on …

The Rockies’ offense finally produced but their pitching faltered Saturday afternoon at St. Louis’ Busch Stadium. The result was a disheartening 9-8 loss to the Cardinals.

The Rockies’ road record is 2-13 and they have lost eight consecutive games at St. Louis and fell to 4-24 at Busch since July 4, 2012.

Give the Rockies credit for two rallies.

In the eighth, they scored three runs, the big hits a run-scoring double to right by Raimel Tapia off Giovanny Gallegos, and a two-run single up the middle by Charlie Blackmon off closer Alex Reyes. With two outs and Blackmon on second, Garrett Hampson scorched a line drive up the middle, but shortstop Paul DeJong snared it for the final out.

Colorado’s first rally was a four-run fifth, which tied the game, 5-5. The Rockies sent eight men to the plate and got a three-run double by catcher Dom Nunez off Cardinals starter Carlos Martinez.

But then, as so often happens when the Rockies play away from Coors Field, it all fell apart. St. Louis right fielder Dylan Carlson led off the bottom of the frame with a single off Rockies starter Chi Chi Gonzalez. Next up was Rockies wrecker Paul Goldschmidt. He crushed Gonzalez’s 2-1 slider deep into the left-field seats for a 7-5 lead.

Gonzalez — seven runs allowed on four hits in four-plus innings — was lifted for sidearmer Justin Lawrence. He didn’t fare much much better. Former Rockies third baseman Nolan Arenado hit a double to left and Paul DeJong did the same, making it 8-5. DeJong then stole third and scored on Tyler O’Neill’s sacrifice fly.

Game over.

The Rockies will try to avoid a three-game sweep on Sunday afternoon at Busch.