Kolten Wong sent a 3-2 fastball from Ernesto Frieri into the right field seats with two outs in the bottom of the ninth to give the Cardinals their second straight walk-off victory over the Pirates on Tuesday night by the score of 5-4.
The Cardinals (49-42) got to Pirates starter Vance Worley early for two runs in the second. Kolten Wong doubled in Jhonny Peralta and Oscar Taveras. The Pirates (47-43) answered back in the fourth when Pedro Alvarez tied things up with a two-run homer to center. They then took the lead in the fifth when Andrew McCutchen hit his 14th home run of the year to take a 4-2 lead. Neil Walker followed with a one-out triple, but was picked off in a close play during the next at bat. Replays showed he may of been safe, but there was not enough evidence to overturn.
Worley then allowed the Cardinals to tie things back up in the bottom of the inning. After one-out singles by Matt Carpenter and Jon Jay, Matt Holliday brought both in with a 2 RBI double. The game remained tied until the bottom of the ninth when Groundhog day happened for the Pirates.
With Ernesto Frieri on the mound and two out, the righty sent a 3-2 belt-high fastball to Wong, who deposited the ball into the right field stands for the Cardinals second walk-off home run in as many nights.
Final Score: Cardinals 5, Pirates 4.
Starters Lines
Worley (ND): 5 IP, 9 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 3 K’s. 75 Pitches (49 Strikes).
Martinez (ND): 6 IP, 8 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 2 BB, 6 K’s, 2 HR, 1 WP. 85 Pitches (59 Strikes).
These two will be back at it tomorrow evening in the third game of the four-game set.
Tomorrow’s Starters
(RHP) Brandon Cumpton (PIT): 3-2, 4.61 ERA
(RHP) Lance Lynn (STL): 9-6, 3.17 ERA
First pitch is set for 8:15 EST.
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(Photo Credit: Jeff Curry / USA TODAY Sports)
