Rick Ankiel’s pinch-hit homer in the ninth gave the Cardinals a 5-4 lead, but the Pirates scored two runs off Ryan Franklin in the bottom of the inning to avoid the sweep and win 6-5. However, the Cards’ magic number to win the National League Central dropped to 15.
The Pirates were trailing 4-1 heading into the bottom of the sixth, when they scored three runs off starter Joel Pineiro. They did their damage with two outs. Pineiro had just a runner on first when he gave up a ground rule double to Brandon Moss. Pineiro then walked the bases loaded before Ronny Cedeno singled in two runs. Jason Jamarillo followed with another RBI single to tie the game.
With the score tied in the ninth, Ankiel hit a two out homer to center field to put the Cardinals back on top. Ryan Franklin came on to save the game, but Pittsburgh rallied with three singles off Franklin to tie the game. Trever Miller came in hoping to end the rally, but he gave up a fly ball that was deep enough to score the winning run.
It was just Franklin’s third blown save of the year.
