Cardinals Vs. Pirates Recap: Bats Silenced, Cards Lose 5-0

The St. Louis Cardinals were shut out by the Pittsburgh Pirates, 5-0, on Wednesday night at PNC Park in Pittsburgh. Pirates pitcher Wandy Rodriguez pitched six scoreless innings and held the Cardinals to just three hits in his start.

The result shortens the Cardinals' (71-59) lead over Pittsburgh (70-60) to just one game. While battling for second place in the NL Central, both teams are also in a wild-card battle with the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Most of Pittsburgh's runs came in the third inning, when third baseman Pedro Alvarez hit a three-run homer to right field off Cardinals pitcher Joe Kelly. The homer was the 26th of the season for Alvarez, who upped his RBI total to 70 on the blast.

Kelly's night was over in five innings after giving up a double to Alvarez in the fifth, who was then knocked home by Josh Harrison. His rough outing resulted in five runs on eight hits, while surrendering three walks.

The Cardinals finished with five hits on the night, two each from David Freese and Tony Cruz. Cruz was playing for the injured Yadier Molina, who was hurt in a collision at the plate last night.

The Cardinals move on to a four-game series in Washington D.C. against the Nationals.

For more on the Cardinals, check out Viva el Birdos.

Cardinals Vs. Pirates Score: Wandy Rodriguez Blanking Saint Louis

The Saint Louis Cardinals trail the Pittsburgh Pirates 5-0 after six complete innings at PNC Park in Pittsburgh. Pirates pitcher Wandy Rodriguez has finished his night on the mound, pitching six scoreless innings on the night. He surrendered just three hits and struck out three.

The meat of Pittsburgh's runs came in the third inning when third baseman Pedro Alvarez hit a three-run home run to right field off Cardinals' pitcher Joe Kelly. The homer was the 26th of the season for Alvarez, who upped his RBI total to 70 on the blast.

Kelly's night was over in five innings after giving up a double to Alvarez in the fifth, who was then knocked home by Josh Harrison. His rough outing resulted in five runs on eight hits, while surrendering three walks.

Cardinals third baseman David Freese is 2-3 on the night. Carlos Beltran is the only other Card with a hit. Saint Louis will try its luck against lefty Tony Watson, who has just taken over for Rodriguez on the mound for the Pirates.

For more on the Cardinals, check out Viva el Birdos.

Cardinals Vs. Pirates: Wednesday Starting Lineups

The St. Louis Cardinals take on the Pittsburgh Pirates on Wednesday night, in the rubber match of a three-game series between two teams jockeying for position in the NL wild card race, as well as the NL Central race.

Mike Matheny and Clint Hurdle have announced Wednesday night's starting lineups, and they are as follows:

St. Louis Cardinals

CF Jon Jay
RF Carlos Beltran
LF Matt Holliday
1B Allen Craig
3B David Freese
2B Skip Schumaker
C Tony Cruz
SS Rafael Furcal
SP Joe Kelly

Pittsburgh Pirates

LF Jose Tabata
RF Travis Snider
CF Andrew McCutchen
1B Garrett Jones
3B Pedro Alvarez
2B Josh Harrison
C Rod Barajas
SS Clint Barmes
SP Wandy Rodriguez

As expected, Yadier Molina is not in the starting lineup tonight after being plowed over by Josh Harrison in a collision at home plate during Tuesday's contest. Cruz is starting in his place, and Bryan Anderson has been called up to serve as the backup catcher until Molina is healthy enough to play again.

For more on the Cards, check out Viva el Birdos.

Cardinals Vs. Pirates: Wednesday Preview, TV Schedule And More

The St. Louis Cardinals take on the Pittsburgh Pirates on Wednesday night, as the two teams play the rubber game of a three-game series.

After winning Monday night's contest 4-3, the Cardinals dropped Tuesday night's game 9-0, as starting pitcher Jake Westbrook was pounded, while Yadier Molina was injured during a collision at home plate.

On Wednesday night, the Cardinals will send Joe Kelly out to the mound, as the Redbirds look to extend their wild card lead over the Pirates to three games. Kelly has replaced Lance Lynn in the rotation for the time being, after two straight stellar long relief efforts from Kelly.

To date, Kelly has a 3.26 ERA, 1.42 WHIP and .280 average against, to go along with a 55/26 SO/BB ratio in 77 and 1/3 innings.

St. Louis' offense will look to tee off against Wandy Rodriguez, who the Pirates acquired from the Houston Astros earlier this summer. Rodriguez has not pitched well since coming over to the Pirates, with a 4.86 ERA and 1.50 WHIP through 33 and 1/3 innings with the Bucs.

First pitch is scheduled for 6:05 p.m. CT from PNC Park in Pittsburgh. Televised coverage can be found locally on FOX Sports Midwest, or nationally on ESPN.

For more on the Cardinals, check out Viva el Birdos.

Bryan Anderson: Know Your St. Louis Cardinals Call-Up

Chris Carpenter Injury News Gives St. Louis Cardinals Another Surprise Relief Option

The St. Louis Cardinals' rotation has held up surprisingly well, despite having suffered major injuries to Chris Carpenter and Jaime Garcia and watched Adam Wainwright come back slowly (in every way but peripherally) from his own, so Carpenter injury updates have drawn less heat than you might expect as the right-hander returns from nerve problems.

Until now: After people had more than a month to get used to the idea that Carpenter wouldn't be back in 2012, Rick Hunmmel let fly The Significantly Heard Round Twitter, At Least, and people began to wonder, again, if Carpenter could be a reliever in the stretch run. Here's the thing: Now the Cardinals' slate of weird relief pitchers is itself crowded.

In addition to Carpenter the Cardinals already have Eduardo Sanchez, floundering in AAA; Lance Lynn, recently demoted from the rotation; and Shelby Miller, suddenly hearing call-up chatter, looking to make his major league debut this September.

Of course, Jake Westbrook, Reliever played a major role in the Cardinals' World Series victory last year, so I guess I shouldn't be too surprised about this turn of events.

Cardinals Vs. Pirates Final Score: St. Louis Shut Out By Pittsburgh, 9-0

The Cardinals couldn't seem to find their rhythm from the plate on Tuesday night in Pittsburgh, as St. Louis hitters tallied just five total hits in a 9-0 shutout loss to the Pirates in the series' second game.

Held completely at bay by Pittsburgh starter James McDonald for seven innings of two-hit ball, the Cardinals picked up their lone extra-base hit on a double from Jon Jay in the sixth but were unable to mount any sort of offensive rally. St. Louis right-hander Jake Westbrook served up seven earned runs over five innings to take his 10th defeat, marking the fifth time in his career where he's had at least 10 losses in a season.

Now tied at one game apiece, the Cards will send 24-year-old righty Joe Kelly to the mound on Wednesday with an eye on taking the three-game set and knocking the Pirates back down in the standings.

Check out Viva El Birdos for more Cardinals news, and head over to Bucs Dugout for more on the Pirates. Also visit Baseball Nation for even more coverage from around the league.

Cardinals Vs. Pirates Score Update: Pittsburgh Rides Big 5th Inning To 8-0 Lead

Suffice to say, James McDonald is winning the pitching duel at PNC Park so far on Tuesday night. McDonald has only allowed the Cardinals to pick up two hits all night while his opponent Jake Westbrook has been shellacked to the tune of a 8-0 Pirates lead in the sixth inning.

Westbrook had shown some early control issues and allowed three runs by the fifth inning, when the Pirates offense blew up. Westbrook ended up hitting his 100th pitch of the game early in the inning and couldn't keep the ball away from the hitters -- Pittsburgh scored four runs and were unlucky to score more when Andrew McCutchen grounded out with the bases loaded to end the inning.

Westbrook's dismal final line shows 11 hits, seven earned runs and four walks to only two strikeouts. Brandon Dickson has been brought in by the Cardinals from the bullpen to replace him and has given up a run already.

Be sure to head over to Viva El Birdos for more Cardinals coverage, and check out Bucs Dugout for more on the Pirates. Also visit Baseball Nation for even more news and analysis from around the league.

Cardinals Vs. Pirates: Yadier Molina Removed From Game After Collision

The St. Louis Cardinals have suffered an early setback in their game against the Pittsburgh Pirates on Tuesday as catcher Yadier Molina has been forced out of the game with an apparent injury after a collision at the plate. In the third inning, Molina saved a run as he stuffed Josh Harrison at the plate, but Harrison's left shoulder appeared to hit Molina in the temple.

After a short time being checked by trainers, Molina was removed from the field of play. Tony Cruz has taken over the catching duties for the Cardinals with Molina out. Video of the incident is already up on MLB.com.

No word has been released on the extent of the injury that Molina suffered during the collision, more news will most likely be released by the team after the game ends. Currently, Pittsburgh has taken a 3-0 over the Cards heading into the bottom of the fourth inning.

Be sure to head over to Viva El Birdos for more Cardinals coverage, and check out Bucs Dugout for more on the Pirates. Also visit Baseball Nation for even more news and analysis from around the league.

Cardinals Vs. Pirates: Starting Lineups For Tuesday

St. Louis kicked off its series against the Pittsburgh Pirates on Monday with a 4-3 win behind Kyle Lohse, and will send out Jake Westbrook to take on James McDonald. Neither team has done much to swap their lineups around from Game 1, with David Freese joining the Cards' lineup for the day and the Pirates inserting Clint Barmes and Mike McKenry.

Here are the starting lineups for the Cardinals and Pirates for game two of their series on Tuesday:

Cardinals
1. Jon Jay - CF
2. Skip Schumaker - 2B
3. Matt Holliday - LF
4. Allen Craig - 1B
5. Carlos Beltran - RF
6. Yadier Molina - C
7. David Freese - 3B
8. Rafael Furcal - SS
9. Jake Westbrook - SP

Pirates
1. Jose Tabata - LF
2. Travis Snider - RF
3. Andrew McCutchen - CF
4. Garrett Jones - 1B
5. Pedro Alvarez - 3B
6. Mike McKenry - C
7. Josh Harrison - SS
8. Clint Barmes - 2B
9. James McDonald - SP

Be sure to head over to Viva El Birdos for more Cardinals coverage, and check out Bucs Dugout for more on the Pirates. Also visit Baseball Nation for even more news and analysis from around the league.

Cardinals Vs. Pirates Preview: St. Louis Looking For Third Straight Win

After winning the first game of a crucial three-game divisional series against the Pittsburgh Pirates on Monday, 4-3, the Cardinals are now three games ahead of the Pirates. They are also 2.5 games ahead of the Los Angeles Dodgers for the second wild card spot thanks to back-to-back wins and back-to-back losses by both teams in pursuit.

St. Louis can look to continue to pad that lead on Tuesday night with Jake Westbrook taking the mound for the Cardinals. Westbrook has a 4-1 record in August and won his start on Thursday, despite allowing five runs in five innings to the Astros.

Taking the mound for the Pirates will be James McDonald who had a 9-3 record with a 2.37 ERA entering the All-Star Break, but has since had a record of 2-3 while his ERA has inflated to 3.73. In his last start, McDonald allowed four runs to the Padres in five innings, although he pitched well against the Cardinals in the start before that.

The first pitch in Tuesday's game at PNC Park is scheduled to be thrown at 6:05 CT and will be televised on MLB Network, Fox Sports Midwest and Root Sports-Pittsburgh.

Be sure to head over to Viva El Birdos for more Cardinals coverage, and check out Bucs Dugout for more on the Pirates. Also visit Baseball Nation for even more news and analysis from around the league.

Cardinals Vs. Pirates Final Score: St. Louis Opens Series With 4-3 Win

The St. Louis Cardinals opened their series against the Pittsburgh Pirates with a 4-3 win Monday night. The Cards' victory creates some more distance between the two teams in the NL Wild Card race -- St. Louis has the second wild card spot, with Pittsburgh three games back.

The Pirates took a 2-0 lead in the fourth inning, with Andrew McCutchen hitting an RBI-single and Josh Harrison adding a sac fly. The Cardinals tied it in the fifth after Skip Schumaker doubled in a run and then scored on a Kyle Lohse single.

St. Louis took a 4-2 lead in the sixth after a Matt Holliday solo home run and a Yadier Molina sac fly.

Clint Barmes made it 4-3 with an RBI-double in the seventh, but that was the closest Pittsburgh would get.

Lohse (14-2) pitched five innings, gave up five hits and two runs and struck out three in the win. Jason Motte earned his 31st save of the season.

A.J. Burnett pitched 5 2/3 innings for the Pirates, gave up seven hits and four runs (three earned) and struck out three.

Game 2 is set for Tuesday at 6:05 p.m. CT at PNC Park.

Be sure to head over to Viva El Birdos for more Cardinals coverage, and check out Bucs Dugout for more on the Pirates. Also visit Baseball Nation for even more news and analysis from around the league.

Cardinals Vs. Pirates Score Update: St. Louis Up 4-2 After 6 Innings

The St. Louis Cardinals opened their three-game series with the Pittsburgh Pirates on Monday night. It's a pivotal set for playoff positioning, with both teams in the thick of the NL Wild Card race. After six innings, the Cardinals lead the Pirates, 4-2.

All of Pittsburgh's offense came in the fourth inning, when Andrew McCutchen hit an RBI single and Josh Harrison hit a sac fly to give the Pirates a 2-0 lead.

St. Louis scored two runs in the fifth inning to tie it up, off a Skip Schumaker double and a Kyle Lohse single. The Cardinals took the lead in the sixth when Matt Holliday hit a solo home run. Yadier Molina hit a sac fly a few batters later.

After that sac fly, Pittsburgh pulled starter A.J. Burnett and replaced him with Jared Hughes.

Lance Lynn relieved Lohse at the beginning of the sixth.

Be sure to head over to Viva El Birdos for more Cardinals coverage, and check out Bucs Dugout for more on the Pirates. Also visit Baseball Nation for even more news and analysis from around the league.

Cardinals Vs. Pirates Starting Lineups: David Freese Remains Out To Kick Off Series

Although the team expected to welcome him back into the fold to start the week, the St. Louis Cardinals will not have the services of third baseman David Freese on Monday night for their game against the Pirates.

Freese hoped to be included in Monday's lineup after his wrist injury was cleared by doctors on Sunday, but is now expected to make his return for Tuesday's Game Two, barring a setback. Matt Carpenter will once again get the start at third and bat No. 2 in Freese's absence.

Getting the ball for the Cards to kick off this pivotal series will be right-hander Kyle Lohse, who enters with a sparkling 13-2 record and an overwhelming amount of confidence. The 33-year-old Lohse has improved across the board statistically from his stellar 14-8 campaign a year ago, and will hope to keep things going against a Pittsburgh team that continues to hang around the NL wild card race.

Here are Monday's starting lineups:

Cardinals
1. Jon Jay - CF
2. Matt Carpenter - 3B
3. Matt Holliday - LF
4. Allen Craig - 1B
5. Carlos Beltran - RF
6. Yadier Molina - C
7. Skip Schumaker - 2B
8. Rafael Furcal - SS
9. Kyle Lohse - SP

Pirates
1. Jose Tabata - LF
2. Travis Snider - RF
3. Andrew McCutchen - CF
4. Garrett Jones - 1B
5. Neil Walker - 2B
6. Pedro Alvarez - 3B
7. Josh Harrison - SS
8. Rod Barajas - C
9. A.J. Burnett - SP

Be sure to head over to Viva El Birdos for more Cardinals coverage, and check out Bucs Dugout for more on the Pirates. Also visit Baseball Nation for even more news and analysis from around the league.

David Freese Injury: St. Louis Cardinals 3B's Wrist Checks Out; He'll Play Vs. Pirates

David Freese expects to be in the starting lineup on Monday night, as the St. Louis Cardinals open up a three-game series in Pittsburgh.

Cardinals Vs. Pirates Series Preview: Game Time, TV Schedule & More

The St. Louis Cardinals face the Pittsburgh Pirates in a crucial three-game series in the National League Wild Card race.