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The September NL Rookie of the Month, Gerrit Cole continued his outstanding string of starts with another six inning gem on Friday afternoon in St. Louis as the Pirates evened the NLDS at one with a 7 – 1 victory over the Cardinals.
Cole experienced some trouble in the first when Carlos Beltran laced a one out double into the right-center gap. He would settle, though and retire the next eleven batters he faced until giving up a lead-off homer by Yadier Molina to start the fifth. That would be the final hit Cole would give up as he would pitch a scoreless sixth before giving way to the Shark Tank.
The solo-shot by Molina had no effect on Cole’s outing due to a barrage of offense by the Pirate bats after being silent yesterday afternoon. Cole would help himself out in the second inning by hitting a two out RBI single to make it 1 – 0. Cardinals manager, Mike Matheny intentionally walker #8 hitter, Jordy Mercer to get to Cole.
They would add on to the lead an inning later when Justin Morneau singled and Pedro Alvarez followed with a two run shot to deep center to extend the lead, but they would not be close to being done for the day.
The lead would balloon to 5 – 0 in the fifth when Morneau and Byrd connected for back-to-back doubles followed by a Russell Martin RBI single two batters later. The Byrd double chased Cardinals starter, Lance Lynn from the game. It was Lynn’s fourth straight postseason start allowing three runs or more, but surprisingly his record is 2 – 2 in those games.
Martin would add a sac fly in the seventh and Starling Marte would send a Shelby Miller fastball into the left field seats in the eighth inning to finish off the scoring to complete the 180* from last night’s game. It was Miller’s first relief appearance in a game that some thought he would start.
Tony Watson, Mark Melancon and Jason Grilli (3 K’s) would shut out the Cards over the final three innings to secure game two and send the series back to PNC with the NLDS tied at a game a piece. Home field advantage has officially changed into the hands of the Pittsburgh faithful.
Final Score: Pirates 7, Cardinals 1 (Series Tied 1 – 1)
Starters Lines
Cole (W, 1 – 0): 6 IN 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 5 K’s, 1 HR. 86 Pitches (56 Strikes)
Lynn (L, 0 – 1): 4 1/3 IN, 7 H, 5 R, 5 ER, 3 BB, 6 K’s, 1 HR. 83 Pitches (48 Strikes)
Game 3 of the 2013 NLDS will be at 4:37 on Sunday from PNC Park and will be televised on TBS (Liriano vs. Kelly).
(Photo Credit: AP / Sarah Conard)
