Pirates Vs. Cardinals: Lance Berkman Hits Game-Winning Homer Off Jose Veras As Pirates Fall, 5-4

The Pirates fell to the St. Louis Cardinals Friday night, 5-4, after Jose Veras gave up an eighth-inning, two-run homer to Lance Berkman.

The Bucs scored three runs in the first off Cardinals starter Jake Westbrook, with Andrew McCutchen and Ryan Doumit hitting RBI singles and Josh Harrison lifting a sacrifice fly. Westbrook struggled with his control throughout the start, allowing five walks. He also allowed an RBI double by Jose Tabata in the fourth. 

James McDonald allowed all three of his runs on a homer by Yadier Molina in the second inning. He finished the evening with six innings, three runs, five strikeouts and three walks. 

In the eighth, however, Veras walked Matt Holliday and then allowed the homer to Berkman, putting the Cards ahead 5-4. They kept that lead as Kyle McClellan kept the Bucs off the board in the ninth.

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