The Pittsburgh Pirates debuted their recently-acquired pitcher Chris Archer on Friday night, but that part of their night didn't quite go as planned. Archer gave up five runs on seven hits over 4.2 innings in his first start since getting acquired from the Tampa Bay Rays, but that did not stop the Pirates from getting in to the win column. Adam Frazier had the game-winning RBI single in the eighth inning, as the Pirates got past the St. Louis Cardinals at home, 7-6.
Archer did strike out six but walked four, as he remained winless in his last eight starts, dating back to his time with the Rays. It did not take long for the Cardinals to begin punishing him, as Matt Carpenter led the game off with a home run on the first pitch he saw. That extended his franchise record for career leadoff home runs to 23, eight of which have come this season.
Jordan Hick suffered the loss for the Cardinals after giving up a single to Josh Harrison and a walk to Jordy Mercer in the eighth. Harrison would then come around to score on Frazier's single. On the other end, Kyle Crick got the win for the Pirates, despite allowing a game-tying RBI groundout to Jedd Gyorko. Felipe Vazquez pitched a scoreless ninth for his 25th save, which is the most in a season for the Pirates since Mike Gonzalez had 24 in 2006.
Frazier and Starling Marte had three hits apiece for the Pirates, who totaled 12 hits on the night and improved to an MLB-best 17-5 since July 8th. Gregory Polanco drove in three runs on the night, including a big two-run triple during a three-run third inning. He would then score on Colin Moran's sacrifice fly, giving the Pirates a 6-2 lead at the time.
Tyler O'Neill and Yairo Munoz both had three hits in the loss for the Cardinals, who had 15 hits on the night, but stranded 16 runners on base. Carpenter, Gyorko, and Dexter Fowler each had two hits, but the Cards lost for the third time in four games. They also did lose Fowler, who exited the game with what is now being called a fractured foot, and will land on the disabled list. These two teams will play two more times at PNC Park this weekend.
Archer did strike out six but walked four, as he remained winless in his last eight starts, dating back to his time with the Rays. It did not take long for the Cardinals to begin punishing him, as Matt Carpenter led the game off with a home run on the first pitch he saw. That extended his franchise record for career leadoff home runs to 23, eight of which have come this season.
Jordan Hick suffered the loss for the Cardinals after giving up a single to Josh Harrison and a walk to Jordy Mercer in the eighth. Harrison would then come around to score on Frazier's single. On the other end, Kyle Crick got the win for the Pirates, despite allowing a game-tying RBI groundout to Jedd Gyorko. Felipe Vazquez pitched a scoreless ninth for his 25th save, which is the most in a season for the Pirates since Mike Gonzalez had 24 in 2006.
Frazier and Starling Marte had three hits apiece for the Pirates, who totaled 12 hits on the night and improved to an MLB-best 17-5 since July 8th. Gregory Polanco drove in three runs on the night, including a big two-run triple during a three-run third inning. He would then score on Colin Moran's sacrifice fly, giving the Pirates a 6-2 lead at the time.
Tyler O'Neill and Yairo Munoz both had three hits in the loss for the Cardinals, who had 15 hits on the night, but stranded 16 runners on base. Carpenter, Gyorko, and Dexter Fowler each had two hits, but the Cards lost for the third time in four games. They also did lose Fowler, who exited the game with what is now being called a fractured foot, and will land on the disabled list. These two teams will play two more times at PNC Park this weekend.
