Final Score: Pirates 2 Cardinals 1
Why The Pirates Won: Good question. They were outhit 8 to 3, gave the Cardinals 4 outs in the bottom of the 9th, did not get a hit until the 7th inning, but still managed to win. Paul Skenes had another solid performance going 6 and 1/3 innings giving up 5 hits, no walks, while striking out 8. Both he and Miles Mikolas pitched a perfect 1st three innings. Mikolas gave up a walk in the 6th before giving up a hit in the 7th inning. Both pitchers pitched out of 1st and 3rd, nobody out jams, Skenes in the bottom of the 5th and Mikolas in the top of the 7th. The bullpen was able preserve the win, despite giving up a home run in the bottom of the ninth. They slipped into 2nd place, with four teams all within one loss of each other.
Key Moments Of The Game: Both pitchers getting out of those 1st and 3rd nobody out jams was huge. The game boiled down to the 9th inning where both teams failed to execute properly, with the Pirates being able to overcome their mistakes. With the Pirates pathetic bats, you knew that they were going to need help and they got it from Ryan Helsley and Cardinal catcher Pedro Pages. Helsley walks of all people Jack Suwinski on 4 pitches no less. A single and another walk loaded the bases with no outs. Connor Joe hit a line drive that drawn up shortstop Masyn Winn knocked down but rushed his throw that one hopped the catcher, who dropped the ball, allowing the Pirates to finally score. Oneil Cruz hit a sacrifice fly and the Pirates led 2-0. Bednar came in the bottom of the 9th and immediately, like first pitch immediately, gave up a home run, making the score 2-1. He got a strike out and a pop out in the next 7 pitches. He walked the next batter on 4 straight pitches. The game seems to be over on a strike out, but replay showed catcher interference putting runners on 1st and 2nd. Right here is where you thought the Pirates are going to blow it. However, Bednar strikes out the next batter on 6 pitches, giving the Pirates an unbelievable victory.
Next Game: Tonight, Cardinals in St. Louis. Baily Falter goes tonight for the Pirates. He will face Sonny Gray who has not looked all that great his last 2 starts. The Pirates did get some stiff from the Yankees to go to the bullpen. Good God. Can Falter keep the momentum going? Stay tuned.
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