Cardinals Outlast Pirates In Sloppy Game At PNC Park

By Chad Carlson

Photo Credit: Justin K. Aller/Getty Images

The Pirates and Cardinals faced off tonight for the 15^th time this season, having split the first 14 games.  This particular series is proving to be much more important to St. Louis, however, as, thanks to a nice five-game winning streak (before last night) and a partial Atlanta collapse, they’ve found themselves back in the N.L. Wild Card race.  The Pirates delivered a bit of a dagger in the Cards’ hearts last night, though, with a 6-5 victory at PNC Park.

St. Louis momentarily delayed the demise of their playoff hopes with a 6-4 victory over the Pirates in an ugly game at PNC Park tonight.

Chris Carpenter took the hill tonight for the Cardinals, who has had a ton of success against the Pirates in his career.  He also signed an extension with the Cards earlier today for two more years worth over $21 million.  Jeff Karstens returned tonight for Pittsburgh.  Both right-handers were looking for their 10^th win of the season, and both were part of a pretty sloppy game played at PNC Park tonight.

Neither starting pitcher had his best stuff tonight.  Carpenter gave up four runs on ten hits, including two homeruns, through his seven innings.  As for Karstens, he only lasted 4.1 innings, surrendering four runs of his own on seven hits.

The Cardinals jumped out in front in the second inning with three runs, including a two-run single from Carpenter.  The Bucs battled back, as they’ve done all year against St. Louis, with a little help from Albert Pujols.  The Cards’ first baseman botched a relatively simple play at first base, allowing Josh Harrison to reach base and Derrek Lee to score.

Lee got the Bucs a run closer with a two-out solo homerun in the third, and after St. Louis increased the lead to 4-2, Andrew McCutchen tied the game with a two-run bomb in the seventh inning.  Cutch’s homerun, his 23^rd of the season, hit in his 87^th and 88^th RBI’s of the season, and was his first hit since Friday night against the Florida Marlins.

The ninth inning proved to be just as sloppy as the rest of the game, resulting in two Cardinals’ runs off Joel Hanrahan, which would be the difference in the ballgame.  Nick Punto’s double and Pujols’s sacrifice fly delivered the runs for St. Louis, who evened the series with the Pirates, setting up the rubber match tomorrow afternoon. 

There were several close calls tonight that went against the Pirates, but more concerning were the miscues on the base-paths and missed opportunities.  In all, there were 13 runners left on base and four errors between the two teams.  This was a game that the Cardinals absolutely had to have, and they did what they had to do to come away with a victory. 

For Pittsburgh, it was obviously a frustrating loss.  Pedro Ciriaco got a well-deserved start at shortstop tonight, and had two hits, while every starting position player tallied at least one hit.  Pedro Alvarez got into the mix in a pinch-hit spot in the ninth inning with a single.  Unfortunately, after putting two men on base with no outs, the Pirates’ rally stalled and failed, capped off by Neil Walker grounding into a game-ending double play.

The Bucs have certainly held their own against the Cards this season, and they’ll have one final chance to win this series, and even the season series, against them tomorrow afternoon in the two teams’ final matchup of 2011.With the Red Birds’ playoff chances wearing awfully thin, a loss to the Pirates tomorrow could prove to be detrimental to their postseason hopes.

Pittsburgh on the other hand, lost for the 81^st time this season.  That, of course, means that they will miss a winning season for the 19^th straight year.

Record Vs. Cardinals: 7-8

Record Vs. N.L. Central: 36-37

Record At Home: 34-43

Overall Record: 67-81

And…

As Always…

Let’s Go Bucs!

Cardinals Use Long Ball To Power Past Pirates

by Zane Heiple

Photo by AP

While the Pittsburgh Pirates have improved in many areas this year, the one area that still has much room for improvement is the ability to hit the home run.  The lack of home runs is why the Buccos need to add a bat before the trade deadline if they hope to contend in the N.L. Central.  The St. Louis Cardinals showed what can happen when you have power in the lineup as they would hit three long balls to give them a 6-4 edge over the Pirates.

The first two HR for the Cards came in the first inning off of starter Paul Maholm.  After Garrett Jones narrowly missed a ball at the Clemente wall, Albert Pujols would hit a two run shot to centerfield.  With two outs, Lance Berkman would double and then be brought home on a David Freese homer to right field.

Pittsburgh answered with two runs in the second.  Jones would double and then score when Ronny Cedeno singled.  Maholm would help his own cause by singling home Cedeno.  While the run scored, the first of two costly base running errors would occur as Michael McKenry would be tagged out trying to return to second base. 

St. Louis starter Chris Carpenter was excellent at the plate tonight as he would go 2-4 and drive in a run during the third inning after the batter in front of him, Nick Punto was intentionally walked.   Carpenter would go eight innings allowing four runs on ten hits, while striking out four and walking one.

The Buccos cut into the lead again in the sixth inning when Jones would bring in two runs, but would be thrown out trying to stretch a single into a double.  This proved costly as the two batters after him singled, meaning that the game could have been tied at five, instead of the Cards leading 5-4.

The final home run came in the eighth inning when Yadier Molina went deep off of Pirates reliever Chris Resop. 

This was the second game in a row that the Pirates hurt themselves with costly mistakes.  Tonight it was poor pitch location against a team that has power in their lineup and poor choices on the base paths that possibly cost the team runs.  The loss tonight makes tomorrow night’s game even more important to win so that Pittsburgh has a chance of winning this series on Sunday.  Tomorrow night’s game is scheduled for 7:05.  The Buccos will send Kevin Correia to the bump, while the Cards will counter with Jaime Garcia.

Record vs. Cardinals:  2-2
Record vs. N.L. Central:  24-15
Record at Home:  25-24
Overall Record:  51-46

And…

As Always…

Let’s Go Bucs!!!