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Westbrook targets another strong start in Pittsburgh

Apr 16, 2013 - 3:08 PM (Sports Network) - Veteran Jake Westbrook aims to keep his earned run average at microscopic levels on Tuesday night when his St. Louis Cardinals head back to PNC Park for the second of three games with the host Pittsburgh Pirates.

The 35-year-old Georgia native has yet to have an earned run scored against him in two 2013 starts, in which he's defeated San Francisco and Cincinnati with 15 2/3 innings of 11-hit ball with a single unearned run allowed.

The Cardinals dropped a 1-0 decision on April 5 to the Giants, then ripped the Reds, 10-0, on April 10.

Westbrook's career meetings with the Pirates have been a struggle, seeing him win just once in 13 outings - including nine starts - while posting a 5.28 ERA across 61 1/3 innings of work.

He's 0-5 in nine appearances at PNC Park with a 5.86 ERA.

Meanwhile, Pittsburgh lefty Jonathan Sanchez puts an unbeaten career mark against the Cardinals on the line in his third start of the season.

The 30-year-old is 3-0 in six outings - five starts - against St. Louis while allowing 13 runs on 22 hits in 28 1/3 innings, allowing a .220 opposition batting average on a 4.13 ERA.

He opened 2013 with a 3-0 loss to the Dodgers in Los Angeles on April 5, then followed it with a 10-2 defeat at Arizona while giving up a total of 14 hits and 12 runs across just 8 1/3 innings.

It's Sanchez's first start in Pittsburgh since signing a one-year $1.375 million deal with the Pirates on Feb. 6.

On Monday, Jon Jay went 2-for-4 with three runs scored and two RBI as the Cardinals used a seven-run second inning to take down the Pirates, 10-6. Matt Holliday and Yadier Molina had two hits apiece in the win, while Allen Craig knocked in three runs for the Cards, who have won five of their last six contests.

"We really had some good at bats and put some really good swings on balls that were in the zone," Craig said. "When we're putting good at bats together like that, our team does a really good job."

Lance Lynn (2-0) picked up the win despite allowing four runs and seven hits in five innings.

Starling Marte had three hits for Pittsburgh, giving him at least two hits in eight of his last nine games. Neil Walker went 2-for-5 with a home run and pinch-hitter Jose Tabata singled in both of his at-bats.

James McDonald (1-2) lasted just 1 2/3 innings before giving way to the Pirates bullpen, which allowed only two hits in the remaining 7 1/3 innings. McDonald was charged with eight runs - three of which were earned - and eight hits.

"I left the ball up, got behind guys," McDonald said of his outing. "I didn't keep my team in the game today and that's what happens when you make bad pitches, you get hit hard."

The Pirates won eight of 15 games between the teams in 2012, a year after the Cardinals had won the season series, 9-7.