Game 2: Pirates Collapse In Sixth Inning, Get Swept By Cards 7-2

Bryan Reynolds started it off with a rap against Daniel Ponce de Leon, followed by some routine out making. Chad Kuhl was sharp, fanning a pair. Ponce de Leon returned the favor in the second, and Chad tossed a clean half, too. The Bucs drew a leadoff walk with no more action in the third. The Redbirds managed a single but no damage. Gregory singled and stole second in the fourth; the other three Pirates fanned. Three singles netted St. Louis the first run before a DP ended the inning. Jake worked a walk with an out in the fifth, and trotted home ahead of Bryan Reynolds, who took a high fastball into the Allegheny on a big hop to put Pittsburgh up 2-1. Cool stranded a single. 

Chad went five strong innings before the leather wilted - photo Pgh Pirates

Andrew Miller took the ball in the sixth and struck out the side. Two walks and catcher's interference (lotta that going around lately) set up the Redbirds and brought Chris Stratton to the hill. A sac fly and infield miscue (Key's throw home was way off the mark) later, the Cardinals were back on top. J-Bell's throwing error let an insurance marker cross the dish and Dylan Thomas' dinger put it away, making the tally 7-2. Seth Elledge was tapped for a hit in the seventh and Jake was bounced for griping over a called strike three in an otherwise quiet finish.

Eight games left.

Notes:

• The Bucs booted three balls, all in the same inning; the Cardinals scored just one earned run.
• Josh Bell's 10-game hitting streak ended tonight. It was the third double-digit string of his career, to go with his 15-game and 11-game hitting streaks last season. He wasn't alone in going hitless; the Bucs only had four raps in the nightcap.