The St. Louis Cardinals used a four-run fifth after a 36-minute rain delay to defeat the Pittsburgh Pirates by a 4-1 score.
Jeff Locke [5-5] allowed two hits through four innings before the four-run inning. Randal Grichuk led off the inning with a single and Xavier Scruggs reached after a Jordy Mercer error.
Carlos Martinez [10-3] moved both runners over with a sacrifice bunt and then Matt Carpenter’s single put the first two Cardinals runs on the scoreboard. Yadier Molina was responsible for batting in the other two runs, once again with a single.
Martinez, who has had his struggles against the Pirates solved the mystery in this game pitching 7.1 scoreless innings and allowing four hits while striking out eight batters. He is a candidate for the final vote and has the possibility of earning a spot on the National League All-Star Team.
The Pirates threatened to score in the first inning with runners on first and third base with no outs however Andrew McCutchen hit into a double play with Carpenter getting a throw from third baseman Mark Reynolds. Gregory Polanco, who was on third base, broke for home after the throw and was tagged out.
In the bottom of the fourth inning, Jung Ho Kang was hit by a pitch and the Pirates would later hit an injured Kolten Wong who was a replacement in the sixth inning. Arquimedes Caminero hit Wong with a 99 mile-per-hour fastball.
McCutchen ended any chance of a shutout with his 11th home run of the season off Seth Maness. This extended his hitting streak to 16 games and 17 consecutive games at PNC Park. The home run went 447 feet and hit the bottom of the wall on the batter’s eye.
Following the homer, Trevor Rosenthal was brought in to close the game and he struck out two batters in the process. It was his 26th save of the season.
This loss ended a five game winning streak for the Pirates. They are now 20-28 when the opposing team scores first and 13-28 when scoring less than four runs.
These two teams will face each other again Friday with Gerrit Cole [12-3 2.28 ERA] facing Lance Lynn [6-4 2.53 ERA]. Cole is 1-2 with a 3.42 ERA in four career starts against the Cardinals.
Photo courtesy: Keith Srakocic/AP
