Tommy Pham Pushes Pirates Over Cardinals

PITTSBURGH — The Pittsburgh Pirates didn't get much offensive against the St. Louis Cardinals, but left fielder Tommy Pham gave them just enough in a 2-1 win at Busch Stadium.

This makes it back-to-back wins for the Pirates over the Cardinals, with their 8-3 win on Aug. 26, giving them an advantage in the series after losing the series opener 7-6 on walk-off on Aug. 25.

It's also seven wins out of nine games for the Pirates, as they swept the Colorado Rockies, Aug. 22-24, and won two out of three games vs. the Toronto Blue Jays, Aug. 18-20, both at PNC Park.

Pittsburgh improves to 59-75 overall and 20-45 on the road, while St. Louis falls to 65-69 overall and 36-42 at home.

Pirates right-handed starting pitcher Carmen Mlodzinski had a quick first inning and got the first two outs of the second inning, before allowing a single before giving up a single to Cardinals shortstop Masyn Winn.

Mlodzinski walked second baseman Thomas Saggese and then gave up a single to catcher Pedro Pagés, who scored Winn, putting the Cardinals up 1-0, but Pirates right fielder Bryan Reynolds ended the inning by throwing out Saggese at third base.

The Pirates struggled early on against Cardinals right-handed starting pitcher Sonny Gray, with third baseman Isiah Kiner-Falefa singling with two outs in the top of the third inning. Shortstop Jared Triolo walked afterwards, putting two runners on, but first baseman Spencer Horwitz grounded out, ending that potential scoring opportunity.

Mlodzinski walked right fielder Lars Nootbaar and then gave up a single to designated hitter Iván Herrera, putting runners on the corners for the Cardinals with one out in the bottom of the third inning.

He escaped the inning unscathed, as he struck out both left fielder Alec Burleson and first baseman Wilson Contreras, keeping it a one-run deficit after three innings.

Mlodzinski finished his outing after three innings, allowing three hits, three walks and one earned run, while posting four strikeouts after 46 pitches.