Pittsburgh edges St. Louis 3-2 with late rally

On Thursday night, the Pittsburgh Pirates faced off against the St. Louis Cardinals in a tightly contested game that ended with a 3-2 victory for the Pirates. The game saw Yasmani Grandal hit a crucial home run in the seventh inning, leveling the score at 2-2. Nick Gonzales then delivered the decisive blow in the eighth inning with a single that brought in the winning run, marking a significant moment for the Pirates as they snapped a three-game losing streak. Luis Ortiz, the starting pitcher for Pittsburgh, performed admirably, allowing two runs on five hits while striking out seven batters over six innings. The bullpen contributed effectively, with Carmen Mlodzinski and Dennis Santana each throwing a scoreless inning, and Aroldis Chapman securing the win with his tenth save of the season. For the Cardinals, Erick Fedde started the game and allowed one run on four hits, striking out three batters. Brendan Donovan played a pivotal role for St. Louis, tying the game with an RBI single in the fourth inning and later giving the Cardinals a brief lead with a double in the sixth. This game was significant for both teams as they approached the end of the season. The Pirates are looking to build momentum, while the Cardinals are preparing for their final home series. The outcome of this match could influence the teams' strategies moving forward as they aim to finish the season strong.