The Pittsburgh Pirates defeated the St. Louis Cardinals 11-1 last night in the opening game of a three-game series. The Bucs pounded 16 hits and scored multiple runs in four different innings. Connor Joe and Endy Rodriguez had three hits each. Josh Palacios hit a home run into the Allegheny River and drove in a career-high five runs.
Joe became the eighth Pirates player since 1900 to have three doubles and score four runs in a game.
Reliever Thomas Hatch started the game and pitched three scoreless innings. Bailey Falter relieved and allowed one run on three hits over the final six innings. He struck out eight.
The only Pirate starter who did not register a hit was centerfielder Jack Suwinski, who went 0-for-5 with three strikeouts. Suwinski his hitting .090 over his last 22 games. He hit his last home run July 26th.
The Bucs host the Cardinals again tonight at 7:05pm. Pre-game on WISR begins at 6:40pm.