Cardinals rally in seventh for 10-5 win over Pirates

On Wednesday night, the St. Louis Cardinals faced off against the Pittsburgh Pirates in the third game of a four-game series. The Cardinals initially took a 2-0 lead in the second inning, thanks to a two-run homer from Donovan. They extended their lead to 4-2 in the third inning, but the Pirates fought back, taking a 5-4 lead in the sixth after chasing starter Sonny Gray from the game. Gray pitched 5 2/3 innings, allowing four runs and striking out eight, marking his 200th strikeout of the season. The turning point came in the seventh inning when the Cardinals exploded for six runs, highlighted by Jordan Walker's bases-loaded double. This offensive surge allowed the Cardinals to regain control of the game, ultimately leading to a 10-5 victory. Iván Herrera and Lars Nootbaar also contributed with key hits, driving in runs during the seventh inning rally. For the Pirates, Billy Cook made his mark by hitting a three-run homer, the first RBIs of his career, after being acquired from the Orioles. However, the Pirates' relief pitcher David Bednar struggled, giving up three runs in just 1/3 of an inning, which contributed to the team's defeat. The game was not without its drama, as Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol was ejected in the fourth inning for arguing balls and strikes. This marked his sixth ejection of the season. The Cardinals' victory was significant as they aimed to secure a strong finish to the series against the Pirates.