Cardinals Avoid Elimination, Fend Off Pirates
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Scott Boehm/Getty Images(PITTSBURGH) — Rookie Michael Wacha pitched 7 1/3 innings, allowing one hit, one run, and two walks while striking out nine, as the Cardinals avoided playoff elimination by beating the Pittsburgh Pirates 2-1 Monday.
The best-of-five NL division series is now tied 2-2.
The 22-year-old Wacha had a no-hitter with one out in the eighth when Pirates third baseman Pedro Alvarez smacked his third home run of the series. That was Pittsburgh’s only hit of the game.
Pirates starter Charlie Morton allowed two runs in 5 2/3 innings. Those runs came in the sixth when Matt Holliday smashed a two-run homer.
Trevor Rosenthal pitched the ninth, allowing one walk, earning his first postseason save.
St. Louis improves to 7-1 in elimination games over the past three seasons.
The series-deciding Game 5 is set for Wednesday in St. Louis. The Cardinals will start Game 1 winner Adam Wainwright, while the Pirates will start Game 2 winner, rookie Gerrit Cole.
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