The Pirates lost to the St. Louis Cardinals 6-4 at PNC Park Friday night, thanks to a barrage of extra-base hits by the Cards.
Eight of the Cardinals’ 15 hits went for extra bases, including three home runs. Albert Pujols went 4-for-5 with a homer and two doubles, and Yadier Molina went 3-for-4 with a homer and a double. David Freese also homered.
The Pirates managed 11 hits, nine of them singles, and scored four runs, although starter Chris Carpenter managed to stay in the game for eight innings.
New reliever Jason Grilli made his Pirates debut and allowed one of the Pujols doubles, but he also struck out Matt Holliday and got through an inning without allowing a run.
The Pirates and Cardinals are now tied for second place in the NL Central, and both are a half a game back of the Milwaukee Brewers.
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