PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) - Pirates stay a half game out of first place in the National League Central after a 4-3 win over the Cardinals.
The Cardinals struck first with a Willson Contreras solo home run in the top of the second inning. The skies opened up in the third inning and due to the rain delay, Pirates starter Luis Ortiz's day was cut short.
The bullpen pitched the rest of the game. Angel Perdomo, Yerry De Los Santos, Jose Hernandez and Dauri Moreta held the Cardinals scoreless.
"The bullpen was outstanding," said manager Derek Shelton. "Losing the starter because of the rain delay and then they just continued to push through. Perdomo was outstanding, kept us in the game."
Ke'Bryan Hayes hit a home run for the second straight game tying the score 1-1 in the bottom of the fifth. It the first time in his career he homered in back-to-back games.
"He had the really good work day in San Francisco," said Shelton. "He hit two or three balls right on the screws right at people so it's nice to see when you put hard work in that it's rewarded."
In the sixth Connor Joe ripped a two run double and Carlos Santana added on with an RBI single giving the Pirates a 4-1 lead.
In the eighth inning St. Louis cut the lead to one after a Nolan Gorman two-run home run off Colin Holderman.
David Bednar pitched the top of the ninth inning and earned his 12th save of the season.
The Pirates have now started the season against the Cardinals with a record of 4-2 and look to sweep the series Sunday.
"Our guys just keep going," said Shelton. "They kept going last night and today they just continued to battle back."