Mark Reynolds is greeted at home plate following his two-run homer (photo/MLB)

Mark Reynolds is greeted at home plate following his two-run homer (photo/MLB)

The Cardinals drew closer to a third straight NL Central title on Monday night with a 3-0 victory over the Pittsburgh Pirates, reducing their magic number to two.

The game was scoreless until the ninth when Matt Carpenter singled with one out off closer Mark Melancon.  Carp scored all the way from first when right fielder Gregory Polanco overran Jon Jay’s hit and center fielder Andrew McCutchen couldn’t pick the ball up cleanly.

Reynolds followed with his 12th homer of the year.

Jonathon Broxton got the win and Trevor Rosenthal came on for his 48th save.

Peter Bourjas calls to the dugout after he collided with Stephen Piscotty (photo/MLB)

Peter Bourjas calls to the dugout after he collided with Stephen Piscotty (photo/MLB)

The Pirates had multiple base runners, but couldn’t cash in. Starter Lance Lynn and five relievers gave up six hits, but ten walks.  Pittsburgh left 16 runners stranded.

Scary moments in the seventh inning when Stephen Piscotty was struck in the head by the knee of Peter Bourjas as both converged on a fly ball.  Piscotty was carted off on a stretcher and taken to a hospital where all tests came back negative.

(VIDEO courtesy MLB.com)

Scans taken of Piscotty’s head, face and neck showed no fractures or serious damage. He was diagnosed with a head contusion and was to remain in the hospital overnight for observation.