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Rivas, Pirates blast Cardinals

Jun 1, 2008 - 3:33 AM By Thad Kemlage PA SportsTicker Contributing Writer

ST. LOUIS (Ticker) -- Luis Rivas hit his first career grand slam and led an offensive breakout as the Pittsburgh Pirates cruised to a 14-4 victory over the St. Louis Cardinals on Saturday.

Freddy Sanchez and Ronny Paulino each hit two-run home runs for Pittsburgh, which pounded out a season-high 19 hits.

Pittsburgh jumped all over St. Louis rookie starter Mike Parisi. Xavier Nady highlighted a four-run first inning with a bases-clearing double. Troy Glaus cut the lead to 4-1 with a solo shot in the third, but the Pirates continued to hammer Parisi in the third.

Adam LaRoche drew a leadoff walk, Jose Bautista singled and Paulino singled to extend the lead to 5-1. Two batters later, Kelvin Jimenez relieved Parisi, and Rivas belted his second offering over the left field wall for a 9-1 lead.

"It feels amazing," Rivas said of his first career grand slam. "It's fun playing in a game like that."

"These guys have been scrappy all year," Pirates manager John Russell said, "and take a lot of pride in not giving away at-bats and giving away innings."

In his first career start, Parisi allowed eight runs on eight hits and three walks over only 2 2/3 innings.

"I felt like I was in control of my emotions, but I learned that if I leave the ball up then I'm going to get beat up," Parisi said.

Paul Maholm (3-5) benefited from Parisi's struggles and won his first game since April 27 by allowing one run on four hits with five strikeouts in 6 2/3 innings.

"With a lead like that, you got to make sure you're challenging guys, not putting your defense to sleep by getting behind guys, and I feel like I executed pretty well," Maholm said.

Albert Pujols went 2-for-3, raising his season average to .369, his highest career batting average this deep into the season.