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 "What time is it? Two o'clock in the morning," the St. Louis
Cardinals manager said.
It wasn't that late but the Cardinals had to work hard Monday night
to get one step closer to their straight National League Central
title.
Reserve first baseman Mark Reynolds hit a two-run home run to cap a
three-run ninth inning as the Cardinals snapped a scoreless tie and
beat the Pittsburgh Pirates 3-0.
The Cardinals (99-58) increased their division lead to four games
over the Pirates (95-62). Both teams have five games remaining and
St. Louis can wrap up the title with a win Tuesday night in the
second game of a three-game series.
"It's pretty amazing when you think about it but we have 99 wins and
we still haven't clinched the division," Cardinals starting pitcher
Lance Lynn said. "This is how tough our division is. Every game, it
seems, is a dogfight, especially when we play the Pirates. It's a
great win for us."
Pirates closer Mark Melancon (3-2), who leads the major leagues with
a franchise-record 51 saves, started the ninth and gave up a one-out
single to third baseman Matt Carpenter. Center fielder Jon Jay
followed with a single to right and Carpenter continued home when
right fielder Gregory Polanco bobbled the ball for an error.
Reynolds followed with his 13th homer of the season, a drive into
the right-field stands.
"It was big hit by Matt then a good piece of baserunning by him and
aggressiveness on (third base coach) Jose Oquendo's part to wave
him," Matheny said.
Though the Pirates are seemingly consigned to a third straight
second-place finish, they insisted the loss was not crushing.
"We've showered off tough losses before," Pirates manager Clint
Hurdle said.
Reliever Jonathan Broxton (4-5) pitched a scoreless eighth inning
for the win and closer Trevor Rosenthal got through a shaky ninth
for his club-record 48th save in 51 opportunities. The record of 47
was set by Lee Smith in 1991 and matched by Jason Isrinhausen in
2004.
Six Cardinals pitches combined on a six-hit shutout -- despite
issuing 10 walks -- as the Pirates, who like St. Louis have already
clinched a postseason berth, stranded 16 baserunners.
The Pirates left the bases loaded three times and put runners on
first and second with none out in the ninth before Rosenthal closed
it out.
"We always talk about being a resilient team but it would be hard to
be any more resilient than we were in this game," Matheny said. "Our
backs were against the wall all night."
Yet the Pirates weren't able to push across a run.
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"We've got to move on from this and not worry about guys left on
base," Pirates third baseman Josh Harrison said. "We did something
right. We were getting on base but baseball's a funny game. You've
got to cash in when you get those opportunities and we fell short
tonight but it doesn't do anything to deter us from the way we play.
We'll continue to put pressure on and tomorrow will be totally
different."
Lynn weaved his way through five shutout innings, though he gave up
four hits and four walks while striking out six.
Pirates left-hander J.A. Happ allowed only one hit over six
scoreless innings and retired the last 11 batters he faced yet wound
up not factoring in the decisions. He struck out four and did not
walk a batter.
Happ allowed two runs or less in seven of his last eight starts.
Cardinals rookie left fielder Stephen Piscotty was originally
diagnosed with a head contusion after being carted off the field on
a stretcher in the top of the seventh inning after colliding with
center fielder Peter Bourjos.
Bourjos caught a long fly ball to the left-center field gap by
Pirates third baseman Josh Harrison. Bourjos' right knee then banged
into Piscotty's head.
Piscotty was taken to a local hospital for further evaluation.
"It's hard to see something like that happen but (players) are
really good about compartmentalizing things," Matheny said. "You
realize there is nothing you can do to help him but keep playing the
game. Thankfully, it looks like he's going to be OK."
NOTES: Cardinals C Yadier Molina (partially torn left thumb
ligament) will miss the rest of the regular season, and his status
for the postseason is in question after being examined by doctors
Monday. He will be re-examined Sunday. Molina has been out Sept. 20.
... RHP Adam Wainwright (torn left Achilles' tendon) pitched a
simulated game on Monday afternoon and could be activated Wednesday
night and available to pitch in relief for the finale of the
three-game series. The Cardinals' longtime No. 1 starter has been on
the disabled list since April 26. ... Cardinals RHP Michael Wacha
(17-6, 3.15 ERA) will face Pirates RHP Charlie Morton (9-8, 4.54) on
Tuesday night.
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