SB Nation Pittsburgh - Pirates Vs. Cardinals: Pittsburgh Avoids Sweep With Win On Thursdayhttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/48827/pitt-fv.png2012-05-03T17:30:55-04:00http://pittsburgh.sbnation.com/rss/stream/27556872012-05-03T17:30:55-04:002012-05-03T17:30:55-04:00Pirates Vs. Cardinals: Erik Bedard Strikes Out 11 In 6-3 Pittsburgh Win
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<p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.bucsdugout.com/">Pittsburgh Pirates</a>' starting pitching was poor in the first two games of their series against the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.vivaelbirdos.com/">St. Louis Cardinals</a>. but <span>Erik Bedard</span> was solid on Thursday as the Pirates avoided a series sweep with a 6-3 win. Bedard struck out 11 batters in five innings white the Pirates batters hit <span>Jake Westbrook</span> for four earned runs.</p>
<p>While Bedard was effective, he took 104 pitches to get through five innings and was relieved after the fifth by <span>Jared Hughes</span>. When Bedard finished the top of the 5th, the Pirates were down 2-1, but <span>Pedro Alvarez</span> hit a two-run homer in the bottom of the fifth to give the Pirates a 3-2 lead. They would stay in front for the duration of the game, helping Bedard to his second win in 2012.</p>
<p>The Pirates expanded their lead to 6-2 heading into the bottom of the 9th inning, when <span>Joel Hanrahan</span> came in to close things out. He got himself into a jam, allowing one run on an <span>Allen Craig</span> double with two on and one out that scored John Jay and moved <span>David Freese</span> to third. He would pitch himself out just one batter later, however, striking out pitch hitter <span>Matt Carpenter</span> to end the game and give Pittsburgh their 11th win of the year.</p>
<p><i>For more on the Pirates, check out <a href="http://bucsdugout.com/">Bucs Dugout</a>. For more on the Cardinals, there's <a href="http://vivaelbirdos.com/">Viva El Birdos</a></i>. </p>
https://pittsburgh.sbnation.com/pittsburgh-pirates/2012/5/3/2997405/pirates-vs-cardinals-final-score-recap-erik-bedardKim McCauley2012-05-03T15:43:42-04:002012-05-03T15:43:42-04:00Pirates Vs. Cardinals: Erik Bedard With 5 Strikeouts Through Five Innings, Pittsburgh Trails, 2-1
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<p><a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.bucsdugout.com/">Pittsburgh Pirates</a> starting Pitcher <span>Erik Bedard</span> has been lights out on the mound in Thursday afternoon's game between the Pirates and the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.vivaelbirdos.com/">St. Louis Cardinals</a> striking out 11 batters through five innings, at one point striking out seven in a row. Despite that, the punchless Pirates have not provided any run support and Cardinals have the lead through five innings, 2-1.</p>
<p>Bedard started off a bit shaky in the first inning allowing runs on back-to-back doubles by <span>David Freese</span> and <span>Allen Craig</span> gave the Cardinals a quick 2-0 lead. Bedard then buckled down and started pitching great. The lone run by the Pittsburgh Pirates in the game was an RBI double by <span>Clint Barmes</span> scored <span>Pedro Alvarez</span> in the top of the fourth inning.</p>
<p>The Pirates also are without centerfielder <span>Andrew McCutchen</span>, who left in the fourth inning due to an illness. He has been replaced by Nate McClouth.</p>
<p><i style="border-image: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'Liberation Sans', FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 18px; padding: 0px; margin: 0px; border: 0px initial initial;">For more on the Pirates, check out <a style="border-image: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; color: #000000; font-weight: bold; padding: 0px; margin: 0px; border: 0px initial initial;" href="http://bucsdugout.com/">Bucs Dugout</a>. For more on the Cardinals, there’s <a style="border-image: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; color: #000000; font-weight: bold; padding: 0px; margin: 0px; border: 0px initial initial;" href="http://vivaelbirdos.com/">Viva El Birdos</a></i><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'Liberation Sans', FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">.</span></p>
https://pittsburgh.sbnation.com/pittsburgh-pirates/2012/5/3/2997068/pirates-vs-cardinals-update-erik-bedard-11-strikeoutsTim Blank2012-05-03T13:20:52-04:002012-05-03T13:20:52-04:00Pirates Vs. Cardinals Lineups: Carlos Beltran, Yadier Molina Sit In Series Finale
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<p><a href="https://twitter.com/#!/Pirates/status/198069560048484353">Here’s</a> the Pirates’ lineup for Thursday’s 1:45 p.m. matchup against the St. Louis Cardinals:</p>
<p>Jose Tabata RF<br>
Alex Presley LF<br>
Andrew McCutchen CF<br>
Neil Walker 2B<br>
Pedro Alvarez 3B<br>
Garrett Jones 1B<br>
Clint Barmes SS<br>
Michael McKenry C<br>
Erik Bedard P</p>
<p>Catcher Rod Barajas gets another day off after being ejected early in Wednesday night’s game. (I wonder if the Pirates would be doing that if Barajas were hitting better; I doubt any Pirates fans will miss him.)</p>
<p>And <a href="https://twitter.com/#!/Cardinals/status/198076674972196864/photo/1">here’s</a> the lineup for the Cardinals:</p>
<p>Rafael Furcal SS<br>
Jon Jay CF<br>
Matt Holliday LF<br>
David Freese 3B<br>
Allen Craig 1B<br>
Shane Robinson RF<br>
Tyler Greene 2B<br>
Tony Cruz C<br>
Jake Westbrook P</p>
<p>Carlos Beltran and Yadier Molina get the day off for St. Louis. Catcher Tony Cruz will appear in his sixth game of the year.</p>
<p><i>For more on the Pirates, check out <a href="http://bucsdugout.com">Bucs Dugout</a>. For more on the Cardinals, there’s <a href="http://vivaelbirdos.com">Viva El Birdos</a></i>.</p>
https://pittsburgh.sbnation.com/pittsburgh-pirates/2012/5/3/2996741/pirates-vs-cardinals-lineups-carlos-beltran-yadier-molinaCharlie Wilmoth2012-05-03T10:51:59-04:002012-05-03T10:51:59-04:00Pirates Vs. Cardinals: Erik Bedard Tries To Stop Bleeding After Blowout Loss
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<p>The Pirates are coming off two straight losses, including a blowout Wednesday night in which A.J. Burnett allowed 12 runs in the first three innings. They’ll try to prevent the Cardinals from sweeping them as they complete the series Thursday afternoon at 1:45 p.m.</p>
<p>Erik Bedard pitches against Jake Westbrook. Bedard has pitched well all season and is coming off a five-inning, nine-strikeout effort in a win against the Braves. Westbrook has a 1.30 <span class="caps">ERA</span> so far this season, but he lost to the Pirates April 21 when Burnett pitched brilliantly against him.</p>
<p>After this series, the Bucs begin a long homestand, with series against the Reds, Nationals and Astros. They’re currently 10-14, and it would be nice if, with a win Thursday afternoon, they greatly increased their chances of finishing the homestand near .500.</p>
<p><i>For more on the Pirates, check out <a href="http://bucsdugout.com">Bucs Dugout</a>. For more on the Cards, there’s <a href="http://vivaelbirdos.com">Viva El Birdos</a></i>.</p>
https://pittsburgh.sbnation.com/pittsburgh-pirates/2012/5/3/2996364/pirates-vs-cardinals-erik-bedard-previewCharlie Wilmoth2012-05-02T23:27:21-04:002012-05-02T23:27:21-04:00Pirates Vs. Cardinals Final Score: St. Louis Pounds PIttsburgh 12-3
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<p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.vivaelbirdos.com/">St. Louis Cardinals</a> jumped on top of the Pittsburgh Pirates early in the first inning, plating four runs to take a 4-0 lead thanks to a three-run home run by <span>Carlos Beltran</span>. Beltran himself outscored the Pirates on the night, finishing up going four for five with two home runs and seven RBI.</p>
<p>The Pirates just couldn't come back from the early damage the Cardinals lineup did while <span>A.J. Burnett</span> was laboring on the mound early in the game. By the end of the third inning, the Cardinals had taken a 12-1 lead off of Beltran's second home run of the game. The Pirates plated a couple of runs late, but it wasn't close to enough as the Pirates go down 12-3.</p>
<p>The Pirates drop two in a row against the Cards and will try to avoid the sweep on Thursday.</p>
<p><i>For more information on the <a href="https://www.bucsdugout.com/">Pittsburgh Pirates</a>, check out the SB Nation blog<b> <a href="http://www.bucsdugout.com/">Bucs Dugout</a></b>. For a perspective on the team in the other dugout, check out the St. Louis Cardinals blog<a href="http://www.vivaelbirdos.com/"><b>Viva El Birdos</b></a>. For more news throughout Major League Baseball, check out the<a href="http://mlb.sbnation.com/"> <b>SB Nation MLB Hub</b></a>.</i></p>
https://pittsburgh.sbnation.com/pittsburgh-pirates/2012/5/2/2995598/pirates-vs-cardinals-final-score-carlos-beltranAlfie Crow2012-05-02T20:40:31-04:002012-05-02T20:40:31-04:00Pirates Vs. Cardinals Score Update: St. Louis Jumps Out To 4-0 Lead
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<p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.vivaelbirdos.com/">St. Louis Cardinals</a> couldn't put together many hits in their last matchup with the Pittsburgh Pirates when <span>A.J. Burnett</span> was on the mound, but in the second matchup against Burnett he struggled to get the Cardinals out in the top of the first inning. The first four batters in the Cardinals lineup each picked up a hit off Burnett and they each scored.</p>
<p>The first run was driven in by <span>Matt Holliday</span>, who singled to left field driving in Rafeal Furcal. The very next batter, <span>Carlos Beltran</span>, hit a bomb to left field for a three-run home run to give the Cardinals an early 4-0 lead in the first inning.</p>
<p><i>For more information on the <a href="https://www.bucsdugout.com/">Pittsburgh Pirates</a>, check out the SB Nation blog<b> <a href="http://www.bucsdugout.com/">Bucs Dugout</a></b>. For a perspective on the team in the other dugout, check out the St. Louis Cardinals blog<a href="http://www.vivaelbirdos.com/"><b>Viva El Birdos</b></a>. For more news throughout Major League Baseball, check out the<a href="http://mlb.sbnation.com/"> <b>SB Nation MLB Hub</b></a>.</i></p>
https://pittsburgh.sbnation.com/pittsburgh-pirates/2012/5/2/2995253/pirates-vs-cardinals-score-update-carlos-beltran-home-runAlfie Crow2012-05-02T18:07:38-04:002012-05-02T18:07:38-04:00Pirates Vs. Cardinals Lineups: Andrew McCutchen Gets Night Off
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<p>Here are the lineups for Wednesday’s 8:15 Pirates vs. Cardinals matchup in St. Louis.</p>
<p><a href="https://twitter.com/#!/Pirates/status/197787829143748610/photo/1">Pirates</a>:</p>
<p>Alex Presley LF<br>
Nate McLouth CF<br>
Jose Tabata RF<br>
Neil Walker 2B<br>
Pedro Alvarez 3B<br>
Garrett Jones 1B<br>
Clint Barmes SS<br>
Rod Barajas C<br>
A.J. Burnett P</p>
<p><a href="https://twitter.com/#!/Cardinals/status/197803586028175360/photo/1">Cardinals</a>:</p>
<p>Rafael Furcal SS<br>
Jon Jay CF<br>
Matt Holliday LF<br>
Carlos Beltran RF<br>
David Freese 3B<br>
Yadier Molina C<br>
Matt Carpenter 1B<br>
Daniel Descalso 2B<br>
Lance Lynn P</p>
<p>Andrew McCutchen gets the night off for the Pirates, which automatically makes the Bucs’ lineup look a lot worse. But despite a triple in Tuesday night’s game, McCutchen’s offense has slowed recently, with his <span class="caps">OPS</span> dropping from .904 on April 18 to .750. The hot-hitting Pedro Alvarez, meanwhile, bats fifth.</p>
<p>Cardinals starter Lynn allowed one run and one walk while striking out four in seven innings in a win over the Pirates on April 20.</p>
<p><i>For more on the Pirates, check out <a href="http://bucsdugout.com">Bucs Dugout</a>. For more on the Cardinals, there’s <a href="http://vivaelbirdos.com">Viva El Birdos</a></i>.</p>
https://pittsburgh.sbnation.com/pittsburgh-pirates/2012/5/2/2994960/pirates-vs-cardinals-lineups-andrew-mccutchen-pedro-alvarezCharlie Wilmoth2012-05-02T15:58:12-04:002012-05-02T15:58:12-04:00Pirates Vs. Cardinals Preview: A.J. Burnett Hopes To Outduel Lance Lynn In St. Louis
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<p>The Pittsburgh Pirates are looking to find some momentum. After scoring seven runs against the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.vivaelbirdos.com/">St. Louis Cardinals</a> on Tuesday, <span>A.J. Burnett</span> takes the hill Wednesday night as the Pirates play the second of a three game series against the defending World Series champions.</p>
<p>Burnett is currently 1-1 with a 1.38 ERA. In his last start against the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.talkingchop.com/">Atlanta Braves</a> on April 27, he pitched six innings and allowed two runs on six hits, but also struck out eight batters.</p>
<p>The Cardinals send to the hill one of only two starting pitchers in the league to have four wins on the year in Lance Lynn. Lynn has defeated the Pirates once this year on April 20 where he went seven innings and allowed only one run on four hits.</p>
<p>The game is scheduled for an 8:15 first pitch from Busch Stadium in St. Louis. The game will be televised on Root Sports with radio coverage provided by KDKA-FM 93.7.</p>
<p><i style="border-image: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'Liberation Sans', FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 18px; padding: 0px; margin: 0px; border: 0px initial initial;">For more information on the <a style="border-image: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; color: #000000; font-weight: bold; padding: 0px; margin: 0px; border: 0px initial initial;" href="https://www.bucsdugout.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Pittsburgh Pirates</a>, check out the SB Nation blog<b style="border-image: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; padding: 0px; margin: 0px; border: 0px initial initial;"> <a style="border-image: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; color: #000000; padding: 0px; margin: 0px; border: 0px initial initial;" href="http://www.bucsdugout.com/">Bucs Dugout</a></b>. For a perspective on the team in the other dugout, check out the St. Louis Cardinals blog<a style="border-image: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; color: #000000; font-weight: bold; padding: 0px; margin: 0px; border: 0px initial initial;" href="http://www.vivaelbirdos.com/"><b style="border-image: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; padding: 0px; margin: 0px; border: 0px initial initial;">Viva El Birdos</b></a>. For more news throughout Major League Baseball, check out the<a style="border-image: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; color: #000000; font-weight: bold; padding: 0px; margin: 0px; border: 0px initial initial;" href="http://mlb.sbnation.com/"> <b style="border-image: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; padding: 0px; margin: 0px; border: 0px initial initial;">SB Nation MLB Hub</b></a>.</i></p>
https://pittsburgh.sbnation.com/pittsburgh-pirates/2012/5/2/2994571/pirates-vs-cardinals-mlb-preview-aj-burnett-pitching-lance-lynnTim Blank