Cardinals 6 - 4 Pirates
Final
  for this game

Pirates and Cards open up key set in the Steel City

Jul 22, 2011 - 2:42 PM

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(Sports Network) - The Pittsburgh Pirates try to strengthen their lead atop the National League Central this evening when they open a three-game series against the St. Louis Cardinals at PNC Park.

The unlikeliest of all the division leaders, Pittsburgh enters tonight's tilt a percentage point ahead of Milwaukee and holds a one-game edge on the Cardinals, who have finished ahead of the Pirates every year since 1999.

"I am so encouraged by what our guys are bringing," Pirates manager Clint Hurdle said. "I have challenged them to score one more run than the other team, and they have taken me up on my word."

Pittsburgh, which of course has endured 18 straight losing seasons, has done most of its damage against the NL Central, as it is 24-14 against the division and has won 15 of its last 20.

The Pirates, though, were denied a series sweep over the Cincinnati Reds on Wednesday, falling 3-1. Andrew McCutchen knocked in the Pirates' lone run with an RBI double in just the club's third loss in nine games overall.

Karstens (8-5) absorbed the loss after giving up three runs -- one earned -- on seven hits over seven frames.

Starting pitching has been a big part of the Bucs' success this season. Their 3.34 ERA is the sixth best in the league and tops in the Central, against whom Pirates starters have pitched to a 2.97 ERA this season.

An even bigger part of their turnaround takes the hill tonight, as left-hander Paul Maholm tries to win his third straight decision. Maholm did not get a decision on Saturday in Houston and gave up three runs and nine hits in five innings of a 6-4 loss. He is 6-9 on the year with a 3.06 ERA.

Maholm, who is 4-4 lifetime against the Cardinals, has been unbeatable at home of late, going 4-0 with an 0.84 ERA over his last five starts in the Steel City.

St. Louis, meanwhile, will counter with its ace in righty Chris Carpenter, who has owned the Pirates over the course of his career, posting an 11-2 mark to go along with a 2.09 ERA in 16 starts.

Carpenter won his fourth straight decision on Saturday in Cincinnati, as he held the Reds to a run and seven hits over eight innings. He also struck out seven and improved to 5-7 in the year, while lowering his ERA to 3.69.

The Cardinals avoided a sweep in New York on Thursday, as Albert Pujols clubbed a two-run homer and Jake Westbrook tossed eight solid innings to help St. Louis to a 6-2 victory over the Mets at Citi Field.

Westbrook (8-4) allowed two runs on four hits with one walk for the Cardinals, who snapped their losing streak at three games.

"Jake worked fast and obviously he made some good pitches today," Pujols said.

In his last eight games, Pujols has registered nine hits, six runs, four homers and 10 RBI. That is trend that continue this weekend, as the three-time NL MVP's 26 homers and 77 RBI at PNC are his most at any visiting ballpark.

The Pirates took two of three from the Cardinals earlier in the year.






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