ST. LOUIS — The Cardinals have struggled with the bases loaded this season. After coming up empty after a golden opportunity empty in the first inning, it looked as though those woes might prove costly again. However they flipped the script in time to secure a win and stop their two-game losing slide from becoming a full streak.
Nolan Gorman and Alec Burleson each delivered clutch hits with the bases loaded that accounted for four of the Cardinals runs in a 6-4 win over the Pittsburgh Pirates in the finale of a three-game set at Busch Stadium on Sunday afternoon. The game also wrapped up a six-game home stand for the Cardinals, who went 3-3.
The Cardinals (59-78) avoided being swept at home by the Pirates in a three-game series for the first time since 1997.
Jordan Walker (2-for-4, two runs) and Richie Palacios (2-for-4) had two hits apiece. Walker also clubbed his 14th home run of the season.
Tommy Edman had a hit, walked twice and scored twice. He also two bases to bump his team-leading total to 22.
Cardinals starting pitcher Zack Thompson matched the longest outing of his professional career, at any level, with seven innings on Sunday. He allowed three runs on seven hits, including a home run. He struck out six and didn’t walk a batter.
In his five starts since being recalled from Triple-A on July 31, Thompson has not allowed more than three runs in any of those starts. He has also registered 27 strikeouts and seven walks in that same span.