Yoshi Tsutsugo's three-run HR lifts Pirates over Cardinals

[August 30, 2021]  Yoshi Tsutsugo hit a three-run homer with one out in the ninth inning on Sunday to give the Pittsburgh Pirates a 4-3 win over the visiting St. Louis Cardinals.

With Pittsburgh trailing 3-1 against Cardinals closer Alex Reyes (5-7) in the ninth, Bryan Reynolds walked, Colin Moran struck out and Jacob Stallings walked before Tsutsugo launched his fifth homer, a towering shot to right, to win it.

The win gave the Pirates a split in the four-game series.

Tsutsugo's sacrifice fly brought home the Pirates' earlier run.

Pittsburgh starter Wil Crowe allowed three runs and five hits in five innings, with three walks and four strikeouts.

Chris Stratton (5-0) struck out the side in the ninth.

Tommy Edman hit a two-run homer and doubled and scored, and Tyler O'Neill had an RBI triple for the Cardinals.
 

St. Louis starter Kwang Hyun Kim pitched four innings, giving up one run and three hits, with one walk and three strikeouts. He was making his second appearance and first start since coming off the injured list. He was moved into the rotation with Jack Flaherty on the IL.

Pittsburgh third baseman Ke'Bryan Hayes, one of the club's young core players, left in the seventh because of what the team termed right hand discomfort.

In the third, Edman hit a one-out double to center. After Paul Goldschmidt struck out, O'Neill tripled off the wall in right to drive in Edman for a 1-0 St. Louis lead.

St. Louis Cardinals starting pitcher Kwang Hyun Kim (33) delivers a pitch against the Pittsburgh Pirates during the first inning at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

Pittsburgh tied it in the fourth. Hayes opened with a single to left, Reynolds singled to left and Moran had a base hit to right to load the bases. After Jacob Stallings struck out, Hayes scooted home on Tsutsugo's flyout to left to make it 1-1.

Matt Carpenter, pinch-hitting for Kim in the fifth, drew a 10-pitch walk with one out. Edman followed with his ninth homer, to right, to give the Cardinals a 3-1 lead.

The St. Louis bullpen held the Pirates without a hit until Tsutsugo's homer.

--Field Level Media


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