Alec Burleson drives Cardinals to victory over Pirates

In St. Louis, Missouri, the St. Louis Cardinals faced off against the Pittsburgh Pirates on Tuesday night, coming away with a narrow 2-1 victory. The Cardinals were lifted by Alec Burleson's crucial two-run double in the sixth inning that brought in Nolan Arenado and Willson Contreras. On the mound, Matthew Liberatore contributed significantly, striking out eight batters over seven innings and allowing only one run, which was scored by the Pirates through a double from Ke'Bryan Hayes. This was the fourth consecutive win for the Cardinals, highlighting their recent resurgence. The Pirates, dealing with a challenging season, suffered their sixth straight loss, with pitcher Paul Skenes continuing to struggle against the Cardinals. Despite performing well overall, allowing just three hits over six innings and striking out six, Skenes fell to 0-4 in his career against St. Louis. His lack of run support has been a recurring theme throughout his starts, with only three runs scored by his team during the 32.2 innings he has pitched against the Cardinals. The game shifted momentum in the sixth inning when the Pirates took an early lead on Hayes' double that scored Oneil Cruz. However, Skenes faltered as the Cardinals made a comeback, showcasing their ability to resolve pressure situations. Burleson's performance was particularly noteworthy, as he now has six hits off Skenes, more than any other player in the league. This game was not only a testament to individual skill but also demonstrated how critical moments can emerge after a player has been challenged multiple times during the game. As the Cardinals celebrated their success, they also reflected on their improvements and adaptations at the plate, working through different strategies against Skenes’ pitching style. Pirates manager Derek Shelton emphasized the need for his team to find ways to draw walks and create offensive opportunities. Contreras extended his on-base streak to nine games, while the team looked to rebound with Mitch Keller slated to start in their next game. For the Pirates, this loss reiterated the importance of executing plays and managing pressure situations as they continue to seek their footing this season.