Pirates score 8 straight runs, defeat Cardinals 11-7

What a game for the ole Pittsburgh Pirates, aye? This game started as many games typically have this season for the Pirates. In the first inning, the Cardinals scored two runs. In the second, they scored three more. By the top of the third inning, St. Louis had opened up a 7-1 lead. Although Mitch Keller wasn’t good tonight, he did carve his way through 5.1 innings pitched. In total, he allowed seven earned runs on six hits and three walks. He also allowed two home runs.

Heading into the bottom of the seventh inning, the Cardinals led 7-3. The following then happened.

Ke’Bryan Hayes led the inning off with a double. Ben Gamel walked. Michael Chavis blooped a single into right field to load the bases. Bryan Reynolds then hit a weak grounder in between the shortstop and third baseman scoring two runs to cut the lead to 7-5. Colin Moran singled to right field to once again load the bases. Wilmer Difo scorched a single into left-center field to tie the game at seven. Gregory Polanco then ripped a double that short-hopped the wall in left-center scoring two more runs to give the Pirates a 9-7 lead. Yoshi Tsutsugo officially killed the rally with a two-run dinger into the right-center field seats (that's a joke, please laugh). The Pirates led 11-7 at that point and would win by that score.

In total, the Pirates tallied 17 hits. Six of those hits were of the extra-base variety. Chavis and Moran each had four hits. Moran had also homered earlier in the game. Difo and Polanco had three hits apiece. The three hits for Polanco specifically had to feel great. Gamel walked three times as a good leadoff should.

The bullpen also did their thing in this game. As a unit, they did not allow a run over 3.2 innings pitched.

Tomorrow, the Pirates will look to win the fifth game in their last six tries against the Cardinals. In a battle of lefties, Dillon Peters (0-1, 1.86 ERA) will oppose JA Happ (7-6, 5.88 ERA). First pitch is at 7:05 pm.