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Pirates look to build on thrilling rally in series finale

Jul 13, 2008 - 2:15 PM St. Louis (52-43) at Pittsburgh (44-49) 1:35 pm EDT

PITTSBURGH (Ticker) -- The Pittsburgh Pirates will look to build on a thrilling comeback in the rubber match of a three-game series with the St. Louis Cardinals on Sunday.

Jason Michaels blasted a game-winning two-run homer in the bottom of the 10th inning on Saturday, giving the Pirates a 12-11 win while capping off a roaring comeback in which they were down as much as six runs in the eighth inning.

Jason Bay had two home runs and helped Pittsburgh tally nine runs in the final four innings - including four in the ninth against the struggling relief corps of the Cardinals.

The St. Louis' bullpen has lost 20 games and has blown 22 saves this season.

Ian Snell (3-7, 5.84 ERA) takes the mound for the Pirates, who didn't receive much help from Yosman Herrera in his major league debut on Saturday. Before Pittsburgh pulled off its late-inning heroics, the rookie allowed six runs and 11 hits in just 4 2/3 innings.

Snell has issued 19 walks in his previous five starts and will look to improve that mark in his second start since returning from the 15-day disabled list. He also has the task of slowing an offense that put up 22 hits on Saturday.

The Cardinals will counter with Joel Pineiro (3-4, 4.17), who is coming off his first win since April 29, in which he tossed 6 1/3 scoreless innings against the Philadelphia Phillies.

Ryan Ludwick is 4-for-10 with two homers and five RBI in the series, while Yadier Molina is 6-for-11 for the Cardinals.