Former Cardinals David Freese and Eric Fryer played a significant role in helping the Pirates pull to within a half game of second place St. Louis in a 5-2 final on Tuesday night.
Fryer, who was plucked off waivers on Sunday from the Cardinals, had an RBI single in the fifth inning, tying the game at 2-2.  Freese had a go-ahead RBI single to score Andrew McCutchen in the sixth. Three batters later, Fryer made it 5-2 with a two-run double down the right-field line.
This is Freese’s second time in St. Louis and the crowds continue to give him a standing ovation. Â However, after Tuesday’s performance, he forget receiving any more applause.
“I can’t express how humbling it really is,” Freese said. “Coming back the second time, it’s almost embarrassing. But it’s cool. I really appreciate it. It’s awesome.”
Cardinals third baseman Jhonny Peralta left in the fourth inning after thumb discomfort. Â Manager Mike Matheny tried to downplay the seriousness of the injury.
“Jhonny’s thumb is sore, so we’re just being cautious,” Matheny said.
Matheny also said it was a different area on the same thumb which he had surgery on. Peralta just returned a month ago on June 7 after missing 57 games.