The Pittsburgh Pirates defeated the St. Louis Cardinals 2-1 last night in the opening game of a season-series with their division rival. Pirates starting pitcher Paul Skenes pitched into the seventh inning and did not allow a run. He struck out eight and did not walk a batter. The rookie Skenes was given a standing ovation by the crowd in St. Louis when he was replaced by reliever Aroldis Chapman in the seventh inning.
The Bucs scored the two game-winning runs in the top of the ninth inning after being no-hit for the first six innings of the game. Colin Holderman earned the victory with a scoreless eighth inning. David Bednar earned his 14th save of the year despite allowing a run in a wild final inning.
Last night was one of 13 games the Bucs and Cards will play this season. They continue the series tonight at 7:45pm. WISR pre-game begins at 7:20pm. Bailey Falter will start for the Pirates.
With the victory in the opening game of their three-game series, the Pirates have jumped to second place in the tight National League Central Division after the Reds and Cubs lost. They also picked up a game on Milwaukee, who lost to Tampa Bay.