The Cardinals took a 5-3 lead in the top of the 10th on a two-run double by Randal Grichuk off Arquimedes Caminero (1-1). The Pirates, who won in 14 innings on a homer by Andrew McCutchen on Saturday, did it again 24 hours later against St. Louis All-Star closer Trevor Rosenthal. Yadier Molina brought the tying run home on an RBI ground out.
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Tonight at 8:05 p.m. ET, the St. Louis Cardinals (56-32) and Pittsburgh Pirates (52-35) close out the first half on Sunday Night Baseball live from PNC Park in Pittsburgh.
The St. Louis Cardinals head into the All-Star break with the NL Central lead and the best record in the majors.
However, the Pirates will have plenty of momentum going into the second half of the season.
A night after the Pirates rallied three times to stun St. Louis, they did it again with a bunch of role players chipping in while McCutchen went 0 for 5.
Pirates reliever Tony Watson came on in the eighth trying to protect a 3-2 lead but struggled. On the first pitch by Rosenthal, he connects for a RBI single into right for the walk-off win, 6-5. Reynolds was hit by a pitch, Molina to second. Bourjos singled to right, Grichuk to third. Reynolds hit into a double play, pitcher Liriano to second baseman N.Walker to first baseman S.Rodriguez, Heyward scored, Molina out. Carlos Martinez took the mound and went seven scoreless innings for St. Louis while the offense made short work of Pirates starter Jeff Locke. Liriano previously had three RBIs in his 10-season career. Cardinals second baseman Kolten Wong was back in the lineup after being lifted due to a tight hamstring in the 11th inning Saturday night…. Liriano, initially an outfield prospect while growing up in the Dominican Republic, responded by lacing a single to the corner in right. New hope for the Cardinals to get the win and split the series with the Pirates.
Cardinals third. M.Carpenter struck out. Cooney lined out to right fielder G.Polanco. Not only did McCutchen live up to his reputation as being the “go-to” hitter in a clutch situation throughout this series, but he also earned a spot in Pirates history as being one of three players since the beginning of the franchise to hit five walk-off home runs, joining the famed Willie Stargell and Ralph Kiner.
Matt Reynolds had two round-trippers for the Cardinals in the loss. He will sit out Tuesday’s All-Star game to give his injured quadriceps a little more rest but should be ready to play for the first time since June 8 when St. Louis opens the second half on Friday against the New York Mets. Cervelli tripled to center. If general manager Neal Huntington can bolster the bullpen, they not only have a chance of running down the Cardinals in the division race but reaching the World Series for the first time since 1979 when they rallied to beat the Baltimore Orioles. Hart has been out since June 21. Lance Lynn (6-5, 2.90) will get the start.
In Denver, All-Star Troy Tulowitzki homered, Charlie Blackmon had three hits and drove in four runs and Colorado trounced Atlanta to complete a four-game sweep.
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Pittsburgh, meanwhile, will be represented by Andrew McCutchen, A.J. Burnett and 13-3 Gerrit Cole leading the way.
