Alvarez Delivers, Pirates Take 2-1 NLDS Lead
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Paul Spinelli/ MLB Photos via Getty Images(PITTSBURGH) — Pedro Alvarez came through again for the Pirates on Sunday. Alvarez drove in Josh Harrison on a single to right to give Pittsburgh a 4-3 in the bottom of the eighth inning.
Russell Martin would follow with an RBI single of his own in the Pirates 5-3 win over the St. Louis Cardinals to give them a 2-1 lead in the best-of-five NL division series.
“I just knew it was going to be a tough matchup,” Alvarez said of facing Kevin Siegrist. “I’ve seen him a couple of times before. I haven’t had much success. He’s a pitcher with good stuff — great stuff. He threw me a couple of fastballs out over the plate.”
Francisco Liriano started the game for the Pirates and gave up two runs on three hits in six innings of work before handing it over to the bullpen.
“He never gave in, he didn’t give up the big inning,” Pirates manager Clint Hurdle said of Liriano’s effort. “They did get two in the fifth when he labored through his delivery; he said he had enough in him to go back out for the sixth and give a very efficient inning.”
The Pirates will have a chance to close out the series on Monday afternoon.
Cardinals outfielder Carlos Beltran was 2 for 3 with all three RBI’s that included a solo homer in the top of the eighth.
“It’s a must-win tomorrow for us,” Cardinals outfielder Carlos Beltran said. “Hopefully we can come here tomorrow, take care of business, win and go play the last game at home.”
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