|
 Matt Adams and Mark Ellis added an RBI apiece during a four-run
first inning for the Cardinals, who avoided a three-game sweep.
Shelby Miller (5-2) allowed two runs on four hits and four walks In
5 1/3 innings and three relievers bridged the gap to Trevor
Rosenthal, who allowed a run and loaded the bases in the ninth
before inducing a popout and a 1-2-3 double play to earn his 10th
save.
Charlie Morton (0-5) was the tough-luck loser for the Pirates,
surrendering four runs - one earned - and seven hits in six innings.
Jordy Mercer hit his first home run for Pittsburgh and Pedro Alvarez
added three hits and an RBI to help tighten things up in the later
innings.
Morton hit Jhonny Peralta with a pitch with one out in the first and
Matt Holliday followed with a ground ball to third that Alvarez
fielded and threw into right field while trying to start a double
play. Craig and Molina followed with back-to-back RBI singles and
Adams delivered a sacrifice fly before Ellis’ run-scoring base hit
capped the rally.
Mercer’s two-run blast to left in the fourth halved the deficit and
the Pirates threatened in the seventh, but Carlos Martinez came out
of the bullpen to record the final out with the tying run on second.
Peter Bourjos provided some insurance with an RBI single in the
eighth and Jon Jay scored on a wild pitch as St. Louis did just
enough to hold off Pittsburgh.
GAME NOTEBOOK: The Pirates recalled OF Jaff Decker as LF Starling
Marte (back) sat out and CF Andrew McCutchen played through pain
from a foot injury. … Molina finished 2-for-5 after entering the
game on an 0-for-15 skid. … The Cardinals return home to host the
Chicago Cubs on Monday, while Pittsburgh gets the day off before
beginning a road trip at Milwaukee.
[© 2014 Thomson Reuters. All rights
reserved.]
Copyright 2014 Reuters. All rights reserved. This material may not be published,
broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. |
|
