- Commissioner’s statement on Ventura, Marte
- Ronnie O’Sullivan: Masters champion ‘felt so vulnerable’ in final
- Arron Fletcher Wins 2017 WSOP International Circuit Marrakech Main Event ($140,224)
- Smith challenges Warner to go big in India
- Moncada No. 1 on MLB Pipeline’s Top 10 2B Prospects list
- Braves land 2 on MLB Pipeline’s Top 10 2B Prospects list
- Kingery makes MLB Pipeline’s Top 10 2B Prospects list
- New Zealand wrap up 2-0 after Bangladesh implosion
- Mathews, Pradeep, Gunathilaka to return to Sri Lanka
- Elliott hopes for rain for Poli
Kang homers twice but Bucs’ skid extends to 8
- Updated: September 7, 2016
PITTSBURGH — Down to their last strike, the Cardinals powered their way to an improbable ninth-inning comeback against Pirates closer Tony Watson, crushing three home runs and coming back to win, 9-7, on Tuesday night.
With the Cards trailing by a run with two outs and nobody on in the ninth, Matt Carpenter blasted an 0-2 pitch from Watson to right-center field, tying the game. That shot silenced PNC Park, but it did not stop the Cardinals’ rally. Yadier Molina ripped a double to left, then Randal Grichuk launched a two-run homer to left. Jhonny Peralta followed with St. Louis’ third homer of the inning and fifth of the game, a solo shot to right-center.
That brought an end to Watson’s night and extended the Pirates’ ill-timed losing skid to eight games, none of the losses more devastating than this one. Pittsburgh fell two games below .500 on the year and 5 1/2 games behind St. Louis in the National League Wild Card standings. With the Giants’ game still in progress in Denver, the Cardinals pulled even atop the NL Wild Card race.
The Bucs had put themselves in position to end their skid, overcoming a five-run deficit and entering the ninth inning with a lead. They handed the ball to Watson, who took over the closer’s role after Mark Melancon was traded in late July. Watson allowed three homers last season, but the Cardinals matched that in one inning on Tuesday night. The Cardinals, who lead the NL with 201 homers, finished with their fourth five-homer game of the year.
MOMENTS THAT MATTEREDIn the record books: Down to his final strike, Carpenter not only tied the game with his solo shot off Watson, but he …
continue reading in source mlb.mlb.com
