SB Nation Pittsburgh - Pirates Vs. Cardinals: Bucs Lose 6-4 As Albert Pujols Collects Nine Total Baseshttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/48827/pitt-fv.png2011-07-22T23:31:19-04:00http://pittsburgh.sbnation.com/rss/stream/20534072011-07-22T23:31:19-04:002011-07-22T23:31:19-04:00Cardinals Vs. Pirates: Albert Pujols, Yadier Molina Blast Cardinals To 6-4 Win
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/vu2A6neKAixIn6CkeqyUcmXnPkE=/0x26:400x293/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/47828131/large_pittsburgh.sbnation.com.minimal.0.png" />
</figure>
<p>The Pirates lost to the St. Louis Cardinals 6-4 at <span class="caps">PNC</span> Park Friday night, thanks to a barrage of extra-base hits by the Cards.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p><em>For more on the Pirates, check out <a href="http://bucsdugout.com">Bucs Dugout</a>.</em></p>
https://pittsburgh.sbnation.com/2011/7/22/2289569/cardinals-vs-pirates-albert-pujols-yadier-molina-blast-cardinals-to-6Charlie Wilmoth2011-07-22T20:39:26-04:002011-07-22T20:39:26-04:00Pirates Vs. Cardinals: Pittsburgh Trails 5-2 In Opening Game Of Critical Series With St. Louis
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/vu2A6neKAixIn6CkeqyUcmXnPkE=/0x26:400x293/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/47828131/large_pittsburgh.sbnation.com.minimal.0.png" />
</figure>
<p>Who would have thought that the Pittsburgh Pirates would be playing a three-game set in late July with first place in the division at stake? Not many, that's for sure. Seriously, I wonder how many people, if any, put a wager on the Pittsburgh Pirates to win the NL Central prior to the start of this season. What must the odds have been? 500 to 1?</p>
<p>After winning two of three from the Cincinnati Reds, the Pirates now host the Cardinals for three games at PNC Park. Pittsburgh entered Friday's action at 51-45, tied with Milwaukee atop the NL Central standings, and one game clear of St. Louis who looks to wrangle first place away from the Buccos with a series win.</p>
<p>St. Louis currently leads Pittsburgh 5-2 in the top of the fourth inning. Pirates starter Paul Maholm got touched up for four runs in the opening frame, including a two-run shot by Albert Pujols, his 22nd. The Pirates trimmed the lead to 4-2 in the bottom half of the second, only to allow another run in the third. The Cardinals are currently batting in the top of the 4th inning, leading 5-2. Stay tuned for more updates throughout and after the game.</p>
https://pittsburgh.sbnation.com/2011/7/22/2338264/pirates-vs-cardinals-pittsburgh-trails-5-2-in-opening-game-ofMichael Bean