Pedro Pages ripped a go-ahead RBI double in the top of the 10th inning as the St. Louis Cardinals topped the host Pittsburgh Pirates 3-2 on Thursday afternoon, securing the rubber match of a three-game series.
Pages connected against Pittsburgh reliever Dennis Santana (2-1), driving in automatic runner Michael Siani. With two outs, Alec Burleson provided crucial insurance for St. Louis by singling to left and plating Pages.
In the home half of the 10th, Michael A. Taylor started at second and scored on Nick Gonzales’ deep fly ball to left-center. Brendan Donovan made the catch but took a moment’s pause, failing to quickly return the ball to the infield. This lapse allowed Taylor to score from second, narrowing Pittsburgh’s deficit to 3-2.
Despite the Pirates’ efforts, they couldn’t tie the game. John King (3-1) completed his second inning of relief, securing the win for St. Louis.
Burleson and Dylan Carlson each recorded two hits for the Cardinals, who have won three of their last four games.
Bryan Reynolds homered as Pittsburgh fell for the fourth time in six games.
Donovan reached on an error with two outs in the second inning, then scored on Carlson’s double, giving St. Louis an early 1-0 lead.
Pittsburgh evened the score when Reynolds opened the home half of the fourth with his 14th homer of the season. Reynolds had gone 0-for-8 over his previous two games following a 25-game hitting streak.
The Cardinals had a golden opportunity to reclaim the lead in the sixth inning but came up empty. Masyn Winn led off with a single and advanced to third on Burleson’s base hit, putting runners on the corners with no outs. Willson Contreras then grounded into a double play, with Winn staying put at third. Paul Goldschmidt struck out to end the frame. Double plays also hampered St. Louis in the first and fifth innings.
Both starters delivered stellar outings but had to settle for no-decisions. Pirates left-hander Martin Perez lasted 7 1/3 innings, giving up one unearned run on six hits while walking one and striking out two. Cardinals right-hander Andre Pallante allowed one run on four hits over seven innings, walking one and fanning five.
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