Saturday’s Game Report: Pirates 2, Cardinals 1
For the second day in a row the Cardinals got an outstanding performance from their starting pitcher on Saturday but it wasn’t enough for a victory.
After Adam Wainwright allowed just one run over seven innings on Friday night, Miles Mikolas gave up just two runs over seven innings on Saturday in their second consecutive 2-1 loss to the Pirates.
Mikolas gave up just three hits, all in succession to begin the fourth inning, which produced both of the Pirates runs.
The Cardinals were held to a season-low two hits in the rain-delayed game.
Here is how the game broke down:
At the plate: The Cardinals only run came in the third inning when Paul Goldschmidt walked with two outs and scored on a double by Paul DeJong … The Cardinals only other hit was a single by Goldschmidt in the eighth when they also got two walks, loading the bases with two outs, before Marcell Ozuna grounded out to end the inning.
On the mound: Mikolas retired nine of the first 10 hitters he faced, with the only baserunner reaching on a walk, before the Pirates bunched a single, a triple and another single to open the fourth inning for their only two runs. After that Mikolas retired the next 12 Pirates in a row until coming out of the game after the seventh … Pittsburgh’s only other hit was a single off John Gant in the eighth.
Key stat: The Cardinals have not hit a home run in their last four games, equaling their longest drought of the season.
Worth noting: The length of the game, 2 hours 42 minutes, was 14 minutes shorter than the rain delay that preceded the start of the game … The two hits were the fewest by the Cardinals in a home game against the Pirates since they were held to one hit by Kris Benson and two relievers on Aug. 20, 2002 … Randy Arozarena, who had been out since he suffered a broken hand when he was hit by a pitch in spring training, was assigned to Springfield and made his season debut on Saturday night by serving as the designated hitter … Carlos Martinez is scheduled to make another rehab appearance on Sunday for Memphis.
Looking ahead: Dakota Hudson will get the Mother’s Day start on Sunday in the finale of the four-game series and the homestand.
Post-Game Audio: Mike Shildt, Miles Mikolas
