Pirates push Cardinals to the brink
PITTSbUrGH • Pinch-runner Josh Harrison stood on second base in the bottom of the eighth inning and pointed to Pittsburgh Pirates third base coach Nick Leyva.
“I told him to get that arm ready because I’m coming,” Harrison said.
Moments later, Harrison was streaking across home plate to give the Pirates the lead. He scored on Pedro Alvarez’s tiebreaking single Sunday, sending the Pirates to a 5-3 victory over the St. Louis cardinals that staked Pittsburgh to a 2-1 lead in the bestof-five NL division series.
The go-ahead single was the latest big hit by Alvarez. He homered in the first two games and is 4 for 10 with four rbIs in the series.
This wild-card team is now one victory from its first postseason series win since Willie Stargell, dave Parker and the gang won it all in 1979.
“We’re continuing to surprise a lot of people, I believe. We’re continuing to show people that we’re not done, that we’re not just happy to be in the post-season,” star centre-fielder Andrew Mccutchen said. “We’re fighting to win a World Series.”
Heady territory for a franchise that had endured a record 20 consecutive years of losing coming into this season. Six months later, the Pirates are on the cusp of knocking out baseball royalty.
Mark Melancon (1-0) picked up the win despite allowing carlos beltran’s tying home run in the top of the eighth. Jason Grilli worked the ninth for a save.
charlie Morton is set to start for Pittsburgh in Game 4 on Monday against rookie Michael Wacha.
beltran finished 2 for 3 with three rbIs. His 16th playoff home run moved him past babe ruth for eighth place in post-season history.
“It’s a must-win tomorrow for us,” beltran said. “Hopefully we can come here tomorrow, take care of business, win and go play the last game at home.”
beltran’s shot temporarily silenced a rocking crowd at PNc Park. It also set the stage for another dramatic win by the Pirates.
Mccutchen led off the eighth with his second hit, a double to left. but the NL MVP candidate unwisely tried to advance on Justin Morneau’s grounder to shortstop and was an easy out at third.
Harrison ran for Morneau and moved up when Marlon byrd walked. St. Louis manager Mike Matheny turned to a lefty in Siegrist to face the left-handed Alvarez. The Pittsburgh slugger tied for the NL lead with 36 homers during the regular season, but hit just .180 against lefties.
“I just knew it was going to be a tough matchup,” Alvarez said. “I’ve seen him a couple of times before. I haven’t had much success. He’s a pitcher with good stuff — great stuff. He threw me a couple of fastballs out over the plate.”
One too many and Alvarez singled between first and second. Martin then fouled off a squeeze bunt before lining a hit to left that gave Grilli more than enough cushion.