Pirates Blow Lead: Cook’s First-Career Homer Not Enough in Loss to Cardinals

Billy Cook hit a clutch three-run shot for the first home run of his career but the Pittsburgh Pirates’ bullpen collapsed in the seventh inning in a 10-5 loss to the St. Louis Cardinals at Busch Stadium on Wednesday.

Recap

Pirates starter Jake Woodford, who was selected from Triple-A Indianapolis, had a clean first inning but allowed a two-run home run to Brendan Donovan in the bottom of the second. 

Paul Goldschmidt tripled home another run for the Cardinals in the third and scored on a Nolan Arenado single to left, putting St. Louis up 4-0.

The Pirates (71-81) struck back for two runs in the top of the fourth. Bryan De La Cruz hit a sacrifice fly to center. Nick Yorke then looped a run-scoring single into shallow right for his first-career RBI. 

The Cardinals (77-75) made a pitching change with two outs in the top of the six, replacing starting pitcher Sonny Gray with Matthew Liberatore. On Liberatore’s first pitch of the game, Cook hit a go-ahead three-run homer to right-center to give the Pirates their first lead of the game.

Billy Cook's first MLB home run 👏 pic.twitter.com/E8UG7mknjt

— Pittsburgh Pirates (@Pirates) September 19, 2024

But David Bednar and Jalen Beeks combined to allow six runs in the bottom of the seventh as the Cardinals sent 11 batters to the plate. Bednar (3-8) took the loss and has dropped five-straight decisions since his last win on May 21.

Key Moment

Jordan Walker’s bases-clearing double capped off the Cardinals’ huge seventh inning and put the game well out of hand. 

Star of the Game

Arenado reached base safely in all five of his plate appearances, finishing 3 for 3 with a double, an RBI, two runs and two walks. It was a tough choice between Arenado and Donovan as the duo paced the Cardinals’ lineup.

Stat to Know

Bednar allowed a leadoff homer to Masyn Winn in the seventh, the ninth he’s allowed this season in 54 innings. Bednar had allowed a total of seven home runs in 119 innings between 2022-23.

Noteworthy

• Oneil Cruz (left ankle discomfort) was held out of the lineup for the third-straight game. Cruz pinch hit in Tuesday’s loss to the Cardinals.
• The Pirates placed RHP Kyle Nicolas on the 15-day injured list with a left oblique strain. He’ll miss the remainder of the season.
• RHP Ben Heller (right shoulder inflammation) was transferred from the 15-day IL to the 60-day IL.

Up Next

The Pirates will try and avoid a four-game sweep in the series finale on Thursday night. Luis Ortiz (6-6, 3.45 ERA) will be on the mound. Erick Fedde (8-9, 3.45 ERA) will start for the Cardinals. First pitch: 7:15 ET.