Pirates Down Cardinals on Late Clutch Hit; Oneil Cruz Makes Web Gem

Nick Gonzales delivered a game-winning single in the eighth for the Pittsburgh Pirates in a 3-2 win over the St. Louis Cardinals on Thursday at Busch Stadium to salvage the series. 

Recap

The Pirates (72-81)  broke a scoreless tie in the top of the fourth when Bryan De La Cruz followed Nick Gonzales’ triple with a sacrifice fly to center.

The Cardinals (77-76) quickly answered in the home-half of the inning on Brendan Donovan’s RBI-single. Donovan put St. Louis ahead 2-1 with a run-scoring double with two outs in the sixth. 

With two outs in the top of the seventh inning, Yasmani Grandal hit a solo shot off of reliever Andrew Kittredge to even the score at 2-all.

With runners on the corners and two outs in the top of the eighth, Nick Gonzales ripped a base hit up the middle to put the Pirates out in front 3-2. 

Pirates starter Luis Ortiz allowed two runs and struck out seven in six innings pitched. Carmen Mlodzinski (4-5) got the win after pitching a scoreless seventh inning and Aroldis Chapman converted his 10th save of the season.

Key Moment

Oneil Cruz drew a two-out walk off of left-hander JoJo Romero and pinch-hitter Connor Joe moved him up the third on a base hit against right-hander Ryan Fernandez. The two clutch plate appearances set the stage for Gonzales’ go-ahead run. 

Star of the Game

Gonzales got things started with his triple in the fourth and ensured a Pirates’ victory with his game-winning run. 

Stat to Know

Oneil Cruz made a highlight-reel play to rob Masyn Winn of a base hit to open the top of the first inning. Cruz’s best play since shifting to center field had a 20% catch probability.

We'd say Oneil Cruz is adjusting to center field quite nicely 😳 pic.twitter.com/Mwf5ShC6z4

— MLB (@MLB) September 20, 2024

Noteworthy

• The Pirates selected the contract of RHP Isaac Mattson and DFA’d RHP Jake Woodford. 

Up Next

The Pirates will travel to Cincinnati for the start of a three-game series with the Reds on Friday night. Mitch Keller (11-10, 3.87 ERA) will start for Pittsburgh opposite Nick Martinez (9-6, 3.37 ERA). First pitch: 6:40 ET.