CHRISTOPHER PANSINO – OVATHLETICS.COM
A two run single in the seventh inning by Neil Walker propelled the Pirates to the 4-3 win over the Cardinals Tuesday evening.
Last night marked the second time in the past three days that the Pirates defeated one of the top pitches in the national leagues. After beating the Mets Johan Santana on Sunday, the Pirates were able to best Cardinals ace Adam Wainwright .
Wainwright pitched well tonight with the exception of one batter, Neil Walker. Walker went 2 for 3 with three RBIs against Wainwright and was more or less the Pirates offense tonight.
The Pirates drove in four runs in two innings late in the game. In addition to the three runs Walker drove in the sixth and seventh, Jose Tabata was also able to drive in a run on an RBI triple in the sixth inning to give the Pirates the 4-2 advantage.
Starter Paul Maholm gave up two runs on seven hits in his 6 2/3 innings. Both runs came in the first inning off a home run by Matt Holiday.
Joel Hanrahan, who came in relief, got the win tonight after holding the Cardinals hitless for 1 1/3 innings.
Yet, even despite the 4-2 lead the Pirates nearly blew the game in the ninth. Jon Jay was able to drive in a run and make it to first base on his slow roller to the shortstop Cedneo.
With runners on first and second a liner by Albert Pujols into shallow left field nearly tied the game. The ball was not hit nearly deep enough for runner Randy Winn to score and he was instead held at third.
With the bases now loaded and only one out the Pirates were able to hold runners on base as a pair of pop ups allowed them to escape with the win.
The Pirates finish their home series tomorrow with one final evening game at PNC Park.
