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McCutchen, Pirates down Cardinals

Apr 5, 2011 - 5:43 AM St. Louis, MO (Sports Network) - Andrew McCutchen's two-run home run capped a four-run sixth inning to help the Pittsburgh Pirates take a 4-3 win over the St. Louis Cardinals in the opener of a three-game set.

Neil Walker hit a two-run double in the frame while Charlie Morton (1-0) worked six innings of one-run, three-hit ball to pick up the win for the Pirates, who took two of three from the Cubs over the weekend to open the season.

"He did everything you could hope for from a starter," said Pittsburgh manager Clint Hurdle about Morton. "He had a lot of walks but he dealt with that good and had an outstanding game for us."

Lance Berkman and Allen Craig each drove in a run for the Cardinals, who dropped two of three at home against San Diego in the season-opening series. Kyle Lohse (0-1) was touched for four runs on six hits in seven innings.

St. Louis got one across in the second when David Freese hit into a double play that scored Berkman, who led off with a walk and moved to third on Craig's single.

Lohse had faced just one batter over the minimum through the first five frames, but the Pirates got to him in the sixth. Ronny Cedeno led off with a bunt and Jose Tabata later walked. Walker followed with a double that chased home both runners and McCutchen followed by clubbing a 0-1 pitch that just carried over the wall in left into the bullpen for a 4-1 lead.

"That ball was up and away to Walker, it was a bad pitch," said Lohse. Then I threw what was supposed to be a down and away sinker across the plate and McCutchen got a good wing on it. Those two pitches cost us the game."

Jose Veras induced an inning-ending double play in the seventh, but Evan Meek nearly gave away the lead in the eighth.

Colby Rasmus singled to start the inning and Albert Pujols followed with a walk. Berkman then singled to bring home Rasmus and, after Mike Crotta took the mound, Craig hit into a fielder's choice that scored Pujols to make it a 4-3 game. After David Freese struck out, Joel Hanrahan took the mound and struck out Yadier Molina to end the frame.

Hanrahan stayed on in the ninth and set the Cardinals down in order for his third save of the year.

Game Notes

St. Louis won nine of the 15 games against Pittsburgh last season...St. Louis left seven men on base and batted 1-for-9 with runners in scoring position...James McDonald takes the mound for Pittsburgh on Tuesday and will be opposed by Kyle McClellan.