Davis Delivers Late as Pirates Edge Cardinals 1-0 Behind Skenes' Strong Start
PITTSBURGH — Henry Davis made an impact on both sides of the ball Tuesday night, lifting a sacrifice fly for the game’s only run in the eighth inning and preserving the lead with a clutch tag at home in the ninth, as the Pittsburgh Pirates edged the St. Louis Cardinals 1-0 at PNC Park.
Despite another sharp outing from rookie ace Paul Skenes, his winless streak extended to six starts. Skenes tossed five scoreless innings, scattering five hits and a walk while striking out five on 88 pitches. He hasn't recorded a win since May 28 in Arizona, and remains winless in six career starts against St. Louis.
The Pirates finally broke through in the bottom of the eighth. Ke’Bryan Hayes led off with a single off Phil Maton (1-3), and pinch-hitter Adam Frazier followed with a double to right. That set the stage for Davis, who lofted a fly ball to center deep enough to score Hayes and put Pittsburgh ahead 1-0.
The Cardinals threatened in the ninth, putting runners on second and third with one out. Victor Scott hit a soft grounder to first, and Spencer Horwitz alertly fired home to Davis, who applied the tag on Jose Fermin for the second out. Closer David Bednar then struck out Brendan Donovan to seal the win and earn his 12th save in as many chances.
Despite the loss, Cardinals starter Andre Pallante was dominant, giving up just one hit — a single to Andrew McCutchen in the fourth — across seven scoreless innings. He walked two and struck out three.
Reliever Issac Mattson (2-0) picked up the win for Pittsburgh, who extended their winning streak to five games.
Injury NotesSt. Louis catcher Willson Contreras exited the game in the fourth inning after suffering a left-hand contusion while applying a tag at home. Third baseman Nolan Arenado also sat out with a jammed right index finger.
Turning PointThe game-saving tag by Davis in the ninth on Fermin’s attempt to score kept Pittsburgh in front, followed by Bednar’s strikeout of Donovan to end the game.
By the NumbersThe Pirates entered Tuesday having scored 37 runs over their previous four games, but it took just one timely run to keep their streak alive.
Looking AheadPittsburgh goes for the sweep Wednesday as Mitch Keller (2-10, 3.90 ERA) faces off against Cardinals right-hander Sonny Gray (8-2, 3.36 ERA).