Pittsburgh Pirates Garrett Jones circles third base after hitting a solo home run in the second inning. UPI/Bill Greenblatt
For the second time this season, lefty Francisco Liriano dominated Cardinals hitters, by tossing a complete game four-hitter, while allowing just one run in a 5-1, Cardinals loss. Matt Carpenter doubled and scored on a groundout by Carlos Beltran in the ninth to snap Liriano’s shutout bid.
Once again the Cardinals found themselves in a hole early that they were unable to dig out of. Pedro Alvarez and Garrett Jones homered for the Pirates in the second inning and they built a 5-0 cushion after four innings against Shelby Miller. Â Miller gave up two homers for the fourth time this season, including twice against the Pirates. He gave up five runs, three earned, on eight hits.
Rookie Michael Wacha, who was just moved to the bullpen, pitched two scoreless innings of relief and struck out four.
The Cardinals are 3-6 with the finale against Pittsburgh Thursday afternoon on this 10-game homestand that began with series losses to the Cubs and Dodgers.
