The Pittsburgh Pirates were back on the road Tuesday night to begin a short two game series against the St. Louis Cardinals. Pittsburgh was swept by St. Louis when these two teams met back at PNC Park at the end of April and beginning of May. The Cardinals would continue their 2021 winning streak over the Pirates with a 5-2 victory tonight.
St. Louis jumped out to an early lead in the first when Nolan Arenado hit a two-run home run to left center. The Cardinals then doubled their lead in the second on a Tommy Edman two RBI single to left center. They would get their fifth and final run of the night in the third when Edmund Sosa hit a double to right that plated Arenado.
All five of those runs were charged to Pittsburgh starter JT Brubaker. He would throw 5.2 innings allowing eight hits to go with three walks and three strikeouts. Chasen Shreve came out of the bullpen to collect the final out of the sixth via a strikeout. The final two innings of the night belonged to Chris Stratton, who would allow three hits and strikeout one batter.
The Pirates offense showed signs of life in the sixth inning when they scored two runs. The first came when Bryan Reynolds scored from third on a Gregory Polanco groundout to first. Erik Gonzalez would then hit an infield single to bring in Will Craig. St. Louis starter John Gant would be responsible for both of these runs, as he would give up five hits over 5.1 innings with three strikeouts and one walk. The Cardinals would use three men out of the bullpen over the next 3.2 innings to silence any chance of a Pittsburgh comeback.
St. Louis has had the Pirates number through the first four games of this season. The Pittsburgh offense would only account for six hits tonight, as they continue to struggle at the plate. They will look to finally figure out the Cardinals tomorrow night when this series concludes. The Pirates will send Trevor Cahill to the mound, while St. Louis will counter with Jack Flaherty.
Record vs. Cardinals: 0-4
Record vs. N.L. Central: 7-15
Record on the Road: 9-13
Overall Record: 17-24
And…
As Always…
Let’s Go Bucs
