Albert Pujols hit his third career home run off Pirates’ pitcher Zach Duke in the first inning, but a four run second inning keyed by a two run triple in which Ryan Ludwick got injured, led to a 7-1 Cardinals loss.
The score was tied 1-1 in the bottom of the second when Pittsburgh’s Nyjer Morgan hit a fly ball into right center field. Ryan Ludwick was racing to his backhand and the ball landed just past his reach. Ludwick tumbled to the ground as two runs scored. Ludwick would leave the game with what is being called a strained hamstring. He will be re-evaluated Wednesday.
Cards’ starter Todd Wellemeyer let the game get out of hand in the bottom of the fifth when he gave up a lead-off homer to Andy LaRoche and later a two run homer to Brandon Moss to make the score 7-1.
St. Louis tried to rally late loading the bases with a hit and two walks off closer Matt Capps in the ninth with nobody out, but he got out of the jam by getting two strikeouts. Pittsburgh’s starter Zach Duke went eight innings giving up just the solo homer to Pujols while giving up four hits and walk while striking out five.
