PITTSBURGH • Righthanded rookie Jack Flaherty, after throwing 120 pitches and striking out 13 in his first major league win last Sunday against Philadelphia, dialed back his strikeout total to only four Saturday as he threw 88 pitches (61 strikes) pitches in six innings. But the result still was the same, one run allowed, as Flaherty and the Cardinals beat the Pittsburgh Pirates 4-1.
The victory was the Cardinals’ first in five games at PNC Park this year and snapped an overall losing streak of three games.
Flaherty allowed just four hits and walked two before relief came from Tyler Lyons, Jordan Hicks and Bud Norris. Over his last 14 innings, Flaherty has permitted only six hits and two solo homers, the one Saturday by Starling Marte.
Hicks, topping out at 102.7 mph, was particularly impressive, getting five ground-ball outs while allowing a harmless single in 1 2/3 innings.
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Matt Carpenter, moved back to the leadoff spot, opened the game with his 16th leadoff home run. He also had his first bunt single of the season.
Rookie shortstop Yairo Munoz had two singles, drove in a run and scored a run and Jose Martinez, the new No. 2 hitter, had three hits and drove in a run.
The win was costly, though, as right fielder Dexter Fowler had to be helped off the field after being hit by a pitch below the right knee in the fourth inning. The club announced that X-rays were negative and that Fowler, who will be evaluated again on Sunday, was “day to day.”
CARDS JUGGLE LINEUP
The Cardinals have juggled their lineup considerably for Saturday's game with the Pittsburgh Pirates. Matt Carpenter will return to the leadoff spot, Tommy Pham has been dropped to third and Jose Martinez will hit second between them.
Yairo Munoz is at shortstop, with Jedd Gyorko at second and Kolten Wong on the bench as Jack Flaherty seeks his second straight win after throwing 120 pitches in his last start.
CARDINALS LINEUP
1. Matt Carpenter 3b
2. Jose Martinez 1b
3. Tommy Pham cf
4. Marcell Ozuna lf
5. Jedd Gyorko 2b
6. Dexter Fowler rf
7. Francisco Pena c
8. Yairo Munoz ss
9. Jack Flaherty p
PITTSBURGH LINEUP
1. Josh Harrison 2b
2. Rick Cervelli c
3. Starling Marte cf
4. Josh Bell 1b
5. Corey Dickerson lf
6. Colin Moran 3b
7. Gregory Polanco rf
8. Jordy Mercer p
9. Trevor Williams p
