In a key series that could go a long way to determine the NL Central Division, the St. Louis Cardinals again struggled against the rapidly improving Pittsburgh Pirates. In the second game of the series, the Cardinals fell into an early 4-0 hole that they were unable to overcome, falling 7-3.
Lance Lynn again struggled on the mound, allowing six earned runs in just five innings. Lynn allowed four runs in the first inning, with Pedro Alvarez breaking the game open with an early grand slam off of Lynn. For the Pirates, Jeff Karstens was in complete control throughout the game, allowing just two earned runs in 7.0 innings on the mound. Karstens struck out seven batters to pick up his first win of the season.
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