Carpenter hit a tiebreaking two-run homer in the ninth inning, lifting the Cardinals to a 6-4 victory over the Pirates on Saturday. He issued two walks and struck out six.
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Martinez entered his latest start with a 4-1 record and a 2.60 ERA through his first five starts of the season.
“It’s another step in the right direction”, Wainwright said. “I’ve got to get my hook going better”. That’s all the Cardinals could get and that’s how tough Liriano has been on the Cardinals. You keep working the count and keep wearing him out, there’s a chance you’re going to get something a little more in the middle of the plate.
“It’s awesome, being able to win the game like that, especially the way it kind of played out beforehand”, Carpenter said. We’ve seen more good than bad so far from the 24-year-old right-hander. May.
Liriano picked up 12 outs on only 38 pitches from the third through sixth innings, and never seemed in any danger until a weird sequence in the bottom of the seventh enabled the Cardinals to climb back into contention.
Kang homered twice as he was playing in his first game since suffering a knee injury last September. It was followed by a wild pitch to Ruben Tejada that advanced both runners two bases, plating Grichuk who dodged Liriano’s tag at home plate and moving Diaz to third base.
Cardinals: RHP Adam Wainwright (2-3, 6.68) is seeking his third straight win. “A guy named (George) Brett, when we didn’t have rehab (assignments), he went 4-for-4 with a homer”. A lot of people like to place limitations on a player. “Just as long as we have them in that column, you know what I mean?” But we let him gain some traction.
The Cardinals will check on Carlos Martinez, a day after he left his start vs. Pittsburgh in the fourth inning because of fatigue.
After throwing ball one to Josh Harrison, Martinez bent over in front of the mound as teammates came in to check on him. Cardinals manager Mike Matheny then pulled Bowman in favor of Seth Maness, who settled down the Pirates’ bats.
Martinez was feeling under the weather during a 6 2/3-inning start Sunday against Washington and took it easy during his four days between outings.
Melky Cabrera had four hits and three RBIs, Jose Abreu hit a solo homer, and the Chicago White Sox beat the Minnesota Twins 10-4 on Friday night in Chicago to become the second major league team to reach 20 wins.
As if to underscore my point about certain relievers not being particularly reliable, Ryan Vogelsong took over in the ninth and loaded the bases, leading the Bucs to bring in Mark Melancon, who got the save. Adams was injured in Thursday’s game with Philadelphia, leaving after four innings.
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Pirates: IF Jason Rogers was optioned to Triple-A Indianapolis to make room for Kang.
