The Cardinals evened things up in the four-game set with the Buccos tonight, earning their second shutout victory of the season, 3-0.
A big reason was the efforts of Jake Woodford and the pen in relief behind
him, as Jake worked into the 6th inning for his first time this season.
Woodford would scatter 7 Pirates knocks, as they would collect at least one hit in the first five innings tonight. The defense behind him was another key in his evening. Let’s start with the double play from Nado and Goldy to get out of a bases loaded, one-out, jam in the 2nd.
Nado fielded the short hop from Hedges, steps on 3rd alertly, and snaps the throw over to Goldy, who stretched to the max, keeping his toe on the bag for the double play.
Another big play behind Woodford tonight was the outfield assist from Alec Burly Man Burleson to end the top of the 4th.
Burly would field the single from Mathias on a hop, begging Smith-Njigba to test him on a throw home and he did just, finding out the hard way as Burly gunned him down.
The lineup tonight was paced by the Nolan’s, as both would deliver 3-hit nights. In fact, the first run of the game would come in the bottom of the 6th with two outs, as Norm would take the first pitch he saw to RCF for an rbi single to score the other Nolan for the 1-0 lead.
The Cardinals would add two insurance runs in the bottom of the 8th, after Johan Oviedo shoved (gotta give him credit somewhere) for 7IP, striking out 10.
Willson Contreras would snap an 0/22 skid with an rbi single to RF and Norm followed that with a 3-0, green light, rbi single to RF himself to stretch the lead to 3-0.
The pen would work 3.2IP scoreless tonight in relief of Woodford, Zack Thompson being the most impressive. Thompson would work 1.2IP, fanning four Pirates during his five outs (3 on fastballs, 1 on the curve). VerHagen and Gio would each work 1-2-3 innings, VerHagen tossing 11 pitches and Gio tossing 10 to earn his first save, striking out Mathias to end the game.
The Cardinals look for the series lead tomorrow afternoon, sending Steven Matz (0-2, 8.18) to the mound against the young right-hander, Roansy Contreras (1-1, 8.00). First pitch is scheduled for 1:15pm c/t.
Cheers, Stew
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