Wil Crowe earned his first victory, and the Pittsburgh Pirates grinded out a 5-4 victory over the St. Louis Cardinals at Busch Stadium on Friday night.
After an 8-2 blowout win in the opening game of the series, Friday’s game was much more highly competitive, as the Bucs built a substantial lead and held off a Cardinals comeback to earn their second straight victory over their division rivals.
Crowe (1-4) gave up four runs on eight hits in his five innings on the mound, which earned him the win. Richard Rodriguez, who continues to emerge as a trade candidate, earned his 10th save of the season.
After the Cardinals took a 1-0 lead in the second inning, the Bucs took control of the game in the third with four runs. A single by Ke’Bryan Hayes scored Kevin Newman to tie the game. A groundout by Jacob Stallings scored their second run, and a two run single by Phillip Evans scored Hayes and Bryan Reynolds, making it a 4-1 lead.
St. Louis responded immediately in the bottom of the third inning. A solo homerun by Nolan Arenado, his 15th of the season, made it 4-2. A single by Lars Nootbaar scored Yadier Molina to make it 4-3. Dylan Carlson’s solo homerun in the bottom of the fourth tied the game.
Stallings’ single in the fifth inning scored Hayes for what would turn out to be the game winner. It has been a trend for the Bucs’ catcher, who has had the clutch bat throughout the season.
After losing five straight games to the Cardinals, the Bucs have put together two wins to begin this series, putting them in a great position to win this four game series. They will meet up at Busch Stadium again this afternoon, with JT Brubaker taking the mound against Adam Wainwright.
Record vs. Cardinals: 2-5
Record vs. N.L. Central: 9-22
Record on the Road: 12-25
Overall Record: 28-46
And…
As Always…
Let’s Go Bucs!
