Jack Flaherty was called up from Memphis to make the start in place of the injured Adam Wainwright.
Flaherty would throw 5 innings, minimizing damage that could have been much worse, adding three double-plays along the way.
Flaherty’s first double-play (5-4-3) would end the first inning, as Wong would have a quick turn at second to get the speedy, Starling Marte.
After the Cardinals were set down in order for the second inning in-a-row, Flaherty would give up a solo HR to Francisco Cervelli.
Cervelli would send a shot to LF on a slider from Flaherty after he induced his second double-play of his outing.
The Cardinals would grab that run back in the third, tying the game at 1-1.
DeJong led the inning off with the first hit of the game for the Redbirds, a single to LF.
Kolten Wong would try and bunt for a hit and get thrown out by a step, sacrificing DeJong into scoring position at second.
Following a Flaherty strikeout, Tommy Pham would rope an RBI-double to RF, hitting the base of the Clemente Wall.
Flaherty looked to be settled in nicely over his next three innings. Allowing only two hits, a walk, strikeout, and his final double-play ball, this time on Bell.
The Cardinals would take a brief one run lead in the top of the 6th as Cafecíto would get it started, lining a one out double down the first base line into RF.
Swags Ozuna would capitalize on the extra base hit, hitting an RBI single to LF, his 17th RBI on the season, giving the Cardinals a 2-1 lead.
The Pirates would battle back to regain the lead in the bottom half of the 6th, 3-2.
The whole shutdown inning thing is beginning to hurt the Cardinals again.
Flaherty would begin the inning, walking the first two batters (Frazier & Polanco) before Matheny would turn to Leone.
Leone would get Marte to ground into a 5-4 fielder’s choice, on a play that looked like Wong could turn two.
With runners on the corners and one out, Josh Bell would hit an RBI single to CF, scoring Frazier and advance to second on a fielding error from Pham.
Leone would intentionally walk Dickerson to load the bases for Cervelli.
Cervelli would give the Bucs the 3-2 advantage on a sac fly to CF.
Moran would be the final out of the inning, grounding out to Carpenter. Carp would be bailed out big time by Cafecíto, as Cafecíto would pick his throw out of the dirt to save two more runs from scoring.
The Cardinals would salvage one hit their final three innings, a single to LF for DeJong (2-4).
Meanwhile, Luke Gregerson continued to struggle. The veteran reliever would come in to work the bottom of the 7th.
Mercer greeted Gregerson with a double to LF, bringing in pinch-hitter, Sean Rodríguez. Rodríguez would walk, drawing the end of the line for Gregerson.
With two lefty’s due up (Frazier & Polanco), Lyons would come out of the ‘pen.
With Frazier batting, Lyons would throw a pitch low, tipping off Yadi’s glove, going behind the multi gold glove catcher.
Lyons would allow a sac fly to Frazier, as he would fly out to RF, scoring Mercer.
Lyons would stay in and try and get Polanco and end up hitting the lefty.
Newly recalled reliever, Mike Mayers, would clean up the last 1.2 innings.
With inherited runners on first and second, Mayers would give up an infield single to Marte to load the bases, a dribbler in front of home plate.
Mayers faced Bell next, earning his only strikeout of his outing, bringing up Dickerson with two outs.
Dickerson would bloop a ball over Mayers head and drop in between Carpenter at third, making it 5-2.
Two infield hits in a matter of batters is your sign from the baseball gods that you’re not meant to win today.
The Pirates would add one more run onto their total in the bottom of the 8th.
With Moran batting and a 1-2 count, home plate umpire, Gabe Morales called Mike Mayers for a quick pitch.
This was odd, being there was nobody on base. I’ve seen multiple relievers quick pitch over the years and never get penalized.
The quick pitch resulted in a dead ball and an extra ball would be added to the count, making it a full-count.
Moran would walk as Mayers would bounce back with two quick outs.
Moroff then hit a pinch-hit, two out, single advancing Moran to second.
Polanco would have the chance to add on to the lead as he grounded a ball to first base.
Polanco would reach on a Cafecíto error, his second 8th inning error in back-to-back nights. Moran would come around to score on the error, making it 6-2 Bucs.
The Cardinals (15-11) look to salvage a game tomorrow afternoon against the Pirates (16-11).
Thanks for reading, cheers!
Stew // @StewStilez
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