The Pittsburgh Pirates pulled a half game behind the St. Louis Cardinals for the NL Central lead with a 9-2 win on Monday night and Francisco Liriano (11-4, 2.16 ERA) continues to emerge as the Pirates ace. Liriano went 7 innings, allowing 4 hits and 1 run, while striking out 8 for his 11th win on the season. “He continues to pitch well,” manager Clint Hurdle said of Liriano. Liriano has won six of his last seven starts.