Pirates/MLB
Pittsburgh Pirates
PIRATES 4 – CARDINALS 1
Win: Francisco Liriano (1-0)
Loss: Adam Wainwright (0-1)
POST-GAME BUZZ
The Pittsburgh Pirates (1-0) got a strong outing from Francisco Liriano and timely hits in a 4-1 Opening Day win over the St. Louis Cardinals (0-1).
Liriano matched a club record in striking out 10 batters in an opening day start. The lefty out-dueled Cards ace Adam Wainwright in allowing just three hits over six shutout innings.
Wainwright allowed six hits and three runs over six innings.
- Getting out jams: Francisco Liriano’s day was highlighted by a 10 strikeout outing and he was extremely effective at getting out of jams. The Cardinals threatened in the top of the 3rd with runners at first and third, Liriano got Matt Carpenter to ground into a double play to end the inning. Then in the fourth inning, Liriano got out of a bases loaded jam with a strikeout of Kolten Wong.
- 2-Run Second Inning: Gregory Polanco doubled to lead-off the second inning, and after Josh Harrison advanced Polanco to third and Jordy Mercer walked, Liriano drove in Polanco for the Pirates first run of the season. John Jaso then singled to center, scoring Mercer as the Pirates jumped out to a 2-0 lead.
- Josh Harrison didn’t have a hit but was effective at putting the ball in play to advance runners that led to runs. In the second inning he advanced Polanco to third and in the bottom of the sixth the Pirates went up 3-0 with a Harrison sacrifice fly
- Multi-Hit Games: Francisco Cervelli, David Freese, Gregory Polanco each had two hits.
- 14 K’s: Liriano and relievers Tony Watson, Neftali Feliz and Mark Melancon combined to strikeout 14 Cardinal batters.
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