Cardinals 9, Pirates 6
The St. Louis Cardinals outlasted the Pittsburgh Pirates 9–6 in 10 innings on Tuesday night at Busch Stadium. Ivan Herrera crushed a three‑run home run in the 10th to secure the win. JJ Wetherholt, Nolan Gorman, and Alec Burleson also homered before Herrera delivered the decisive swing. It was another statement win for a Cardinals team that continues to find late answers.
Cardinals Take Lead Early
Mitch Keller started for the Pirates and held the Cardinals scoreless through two innings. The Cardinals broke through with two runs in the third and added another in the fourth. Keller worked 5 2/3 innings and allowed four earned runs on four hits with three walks and three strikeouts before turning the game over to the bullpen.
Matthew Liberatore started for the Cardinals and struck out nine — a season high — but allowed seven hits and four earned runs across 4 2/3 innings. He missed bats but struggled to prevent damage.
Pirates Push Back
The Pirates scored four runs in the fifth against Liberatore, turning a 3–0 Cardinals lead into a 4–3 deficit. The Cardinals responded with two runs in the sixth to regain the lead at 5–4. Gordon Graceffo and JoJo Romero kept the Pirates off the board in the seventh and eighth.
The ninth inning changed everything. Riley O’Brien entered with a one‑run lead but allowed two runs, and the Pirates tied the game at five to force extra innings.
Herrera Ends It
The Cardinals wasted no time in the 10th. With runners aboard, Herrera turned on a pitch from Mason Montgomery and sent it out to left. Three runs scored, and Busch Stadium erupted. George Soriano retired the side in order in the bottom of the inning to close out the win.
Herrera finished 1‑for‑5. His lone hit could not have come at a better time.
What Went Right for the Cardinals
Four Home Runs, Four Different Hitters
Gorman, Wetherholt, Burleson, and Herrera each homered. Four home runs from four different hitters highlighted the depth of the lineup. The Cardinals posted a .375 ISO — one of their strongest marks of the season.
Wetherholt Keeps Raking
Wetherholt went 2‑for‑5 with a two‑run home run and two runs scored. He has now homered in back‑to‑back games, strengthening his NL Rookie of the Year case.
Soriano Bounces Back
After a difficult outing earlier in the week, Soriano delivered a perfect 10th inning on 12 pitches. It was the exact response the Cardinals needed.
What Went Wrong for the Cardinals
Liberatore Still Searching
Nine strikeouts paired with four earned runs is a frustrating combination. Liberatore continues to miss bats but has yet to consistently prevent runs. His ERA now sits at 7.71, and the Cardinals need more stability from their rotation.
O’Brien Surrenders the Lead
A one‑run lead in the ninth disappeared after O’Brien allowed a walk and two hits. The blown save forced extra innings and added unnecessary pressure on the Cardinals offense.
Quick Hits
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The Cardinals improved to 26–18.
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The Pirates went 3‑for‑17 with runners in scoring position despite collecting 12 hits.
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Jared Triolo led the Pirates, going 3‑for‑4 with a run scored.
Looking Ahead
Win: George Soriano | Loss: Mason Montgomery
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The Cardinals and Pirates continue their series Wednesday, May 20 at 6:45 p.m. Central. The series concludes Thursday, May 21 at 12:15 p.m. Central at Busch Stadium.
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