Cardinals Break Loose in Pittsburgh

The Cardinal Chronicle
Cardinals Break Loose in Pittsburgh
ST. LOUIS — By Ray Mileur

For 36 innings in Pittsburgh, runs were harder to find than sunshine in a thunderstorm.

Now the Cardinals suddenly can’t stop scoring.

One night after a dramatic ninth-inning comeback snapped their long scoring drought at PNC Park, St. Louis came right back Tuesday and put together its most complete offensive performance of the season, pounding out an 11-7 victory over the Pittsburgh Pirates.

The Cardinals came out swinging early, built their largest lead of the season at 6-0, and kept applying pressure throughout the night, collecting 11 runs on a balanced attack that featured contributions from top to bottom in the lineup.

This was not just a win — it was a statement.

Young legs. Loud bats. Timely pitching. Cardinal baseball.

Nolan Gorman got the fireworks started in the second inning, launching his fourth home run of the season to put St. Louis on the board first.

An inning later, Victor Scott II added a memorable blast of his own — a towering solo shot that splashed into the Allegheny River, becoming just the 85th home run ever to reach the water beyond the ballpark walls. For a player who entered the night hitting .121, it was the kind of swing that could shift momentum — and perhaps confidence.

JJ Wetherholt kept doing what JJ Wetherholt does.

He reached base three times, scored three runs, doubled, drew a walk, was hit by a pitch, and made a diving defensive gem in the second inning that stole away what looked like a sure hit. He was everywhere — on the bases, in the field, and in the middle of the Cardinals’ offensive pressure all night.

Jordan Walker drove in three runs, including an RBI single and a sacrifice fly, while Alec Burleson quietly had one of his best all-around nights of the season with two doubles, a walk, and three RBI of his own.

Gorman finished with three runs driven in as well, giving the Cardinals a trio of heavy hitters carrying the offense.

And then there was Ivan Herrera.

The young catcher may very well be the Cardinals’ most disciplined hitter right now. Herrera drew three walks before lacing a double in the eighth inning, scored three runs, and continued showing the kind of mature approach at the plate that turns innings into crooked numbers. His 23 walks in 29 games speak volumes.

On the mound, Kyle Leahy gave St. Louis exactly what it needed.
Leahy was sharp early, efficient, and fearless in the zone. He worked 5 1/3 innings, struck out seven, and carried a shutout into the sixth inning before allowing three runs on a pair of Pittsburgh home runs.

But his work set the tone.

Five clean innings. Seven strikeouts. A club-first mentality. Progress. Promise.
When trouble came in the sixth, Gordon Graceffo delivered perhaps the biggest moment of the night, inducing a rally-killing double play to strand the tying run in the on-deck circle. He followed with a perfect seventh inning, continuing what has quietly become one of the staff's steadiest relief seasons.
The bullpen bent late, allowing four runs over the final two innings, but Matt Svanson regrouped after surrendering a leadoff homer in the ninth and struck out the next three batters to slam the door.
Ballgame.
A few numbers worth circling:
• Four Cardinals runners scored after reaching base via a walk.
• Nine Cardinals starters recorded at least one hit.
• Four double plays were turned behind the pitching staff.
• Thirty-eight team home runs already this season — fifth-most in the National League.
• Most importantly: another win.
After being nearly no-hit on Monday before erupting late, the Cardinals followed that comeback with a wire-to-wire offensive showcase on Tuesday.
That’s how momentum gets built.
That’s how confidence grows.
That’s how clubs start believing something special may be brewing.
That’s a winner: Cardinals 11, Pirates 7.
Up next: St. Louis sends Andre Pallante to the mound Wednesday night, looking to secure the series in Pittsburgh against the Pirates.