Albert Pujols hit a go-ahead game-winner for an offensively challenged St. Louis Cardinals club Tuesday night, putting a nice finish on a solid first start from erstwhile set-up reliever Kyle McClellan. Allen Craig went 2-4 with an RBI and Colby Rasmus and Ryan Theriot reached base three times for the Cardinals, who'd played a particularly listless brand of baseball in their series-opening loss to the Pittsburgh Pirates Tuesday.
After a two-run home run from Lyle Overbay put Kyle McClellan into a first-inning hole the converted reliever was outstanding, striking out seven batters against just one walk. The Cardinals allowed him to get 95 pitches into that first start, and they were rewarded. (McClellan wasn't, exactly—the win goes to Miguel Batista, who pitched 1 2/3 shutout innings with a strikeout and a walk.)
Overbay and Andrew McCutchen each had two hits for the Pirates, who fall to 3-2 on the year. Starter James McDonald struggled with his control all night, walking four with four strikeouts in 4 2/3 innings. The loss went to Garrett Olson, who was unfortunate enough to face Albert Pujols with the game on the line.