Pittsburgh Pirates Win Fourth Consecutive Game, Take Series vs Cardinals

The Pittsburgh Pirates won their fourth consecutive game on Saturday night

After a tough 1-7 stretch, the Pittsburgh Pirates have righted the ship. Following Saturday night’s 6-2 victory over the St. Louis Cardinals, the Pirates have now won four consecutive games and back-to-back series. This improves the Bucs to 6-2-1 in series this season.

The now 16-11 Pirates are also back into first place in the National League Central Division after Saturday night’s victory. The victory also gave the Pirates a series victory in their first series of the season against the evil, rotten, no good, filthy St. Louis Cardinals.

In the bottom of the 2nd inning the Pirates got Saturday night’s scoring started. With 2-outs, Francisco Cervelli hit a solo home run. Cervelli’s 4th home run of the season gave the Bucs a 1-0 lead.

Trevor Williams started for the Pirates on Saturday night and continued his excellent start to the season. In 6 innings pitched, Williams allowed 2 runs on 4 hits, 2 walks, and he struck out a pair. Williams now owns a 2.29 ERA and a 3.68 FIP this season.

While Williams would exit the game trailing 2-1, the Pirate offense would quickly pick him up. Adam Frazier and Gregory Polanco drew back-to-back walks off of St. Louis starting pitcher Jack Flaherty to start the bottom of the 6th inning.

Flaherty was then lifted for Dominic Leone. After Starling Marte reached on a fielder’s choice, Josh Bell delivered a run-scoring hit to tie the game at 2. Cervelli then followed an intentional walk to Corey Dickerson with a sacrifice fly to give the Pirates a 3-2 lead.

After Michael Feliz pitched a scoreless top of the 7th inning, the Bucs cushioned their lead in the inning’s bottom half.

Jordy Mercer doubled to start the inning and Sean Rodriguez drew a pinch-hit walk. Lefty Tyler Lyons then entered the game for the Cardinals, leading to Clint Hurdle calling on David Freese to pinch-hit for Frazier.

After a wild pitch by Lyons, Freese hit a sacrifice fly to score Mercer making the score 4-2 Pirates. Lyons then hit Polanco with a pitch, before being lifted for Mike Mayers.

Marte hit a dribbler out in front of the plate that Rodriguez read brilliantly. Sean Rod came halfway home to get Mayer’s attention, but he then retreated back to third back which allowed Marte to reach at first base loading the bases. An infield hit by Dickerson then made the score 5-2 Pirates.

George Kontos pitched a scoreless top of the 8th inning, and then in the bottom half of the 8th inning more Cardinal miscues led to the Pirates adding to their lead.

Originally, Colin Moran appeared to pop out to left field to start the inning. However, this play was made null and void after home plate umpire Gabe Morales said he called time prior to Moran’s swing. This led to Moran working a walk off of Mayers to reach base.

After a 2-out pinch-hit single by Max Moroff, the Pirates had a pair of baserunners on for Polanco. Polanco would hit a groundball that Cardinal first baseman Jose Martinez booted. This allowed Moran to score, extending the Pirate lead to 6-2.

Edgar Santana would get tabbed to pitch the top of the 9th inning for the Pirates. Santana would retire the Cardinals in order while also recording a pair of strikeouts to slam the door on the Red Birds.

Next: Nick Kingham to Debut on Sunday

The Pittsburgh Pirates will go for a series sweep at 1:35 p.m. on Sunday. Nick Kingham will make his Major League debut for the Pirates, while the Cardinals will send Luke Weaver to the mound.