The St. Louis Cardinals completed a four-game series sweep of the Pittsburgh Pirates with a 6-3 loss Thursday afternoon at PNC Park. The Bucs managed seven hits in the game, including one extra-base hit. Starting Marte had a double (along with two strikeouts). Pirates starting pitcher Joe Musgrove allowed six runs, five earned over five innings. He gave up three home runs, as his record fell to 7-9.
The Bucs open a six-game road trip in New York tonight. Dario Agrazal starts for the Pirates. Zach Wheeler will start for the Mets. First pitch is 7:10pm. WISR pre-game is 6:45pm.
The Pirates had won 12 of 17 games heading into the All-Star break, but have now lost five games in a row and 11 of 13 since the break. They have the second-worst record in the National League, and have fallen nine games behind the first-place Chicago Cubs and in the race for a Wild Card playoff spot.
With Thursday’s victory, the Cardinals have moved into a first-place tie with the Cubs in the N.L. Central.
Former All-Star shortstop Troy Tulowitzki has announced his retirement. Tulowitzki began the season with the New York Yankees after briefly discussing a contract with the Pirates. Injuries have limited him to 13 plate appearances since July of 2017. He was a five-time All-Star with the Colorado Rockies.