Adam Wainwright regroups from slow start in Cardinals’ win

8:23 PM ET

ST. LOUIS — Showing some signs of emerging from an early-season funk, St. Louis Cardinals pitcher Adam Wainwright struggled at the outset but finished strong in a 6-4, walk-off victory against the Pittsburgh Pirates on Saturday afternoon.

It didn’t take long for familiar issues to emerge. The Pirates sent seven batters to the plate in the first inning. Ten pitches in, Wainwright found himself down 1-0 with the bases loaded and none out. The Pirates brought another run around to score on a sacrifice fly by Jung Ho Kang, who hit two home runs the previous night in his return from the disabled list.

Adam Wainwright didn’t get the win on Saturday, but his 6⅓ innings marked his longest outing this season. Jeff Curry/USA TODAY Sports

Luckily for the Cardinals on Saturday, Pirates starter Jeff Locke couldn’t find his groove early, either, as he also allowed the first four batters to reach and gave up two runs on 33 first-inning pitches. It brought Wainwright and the Cardinals back to even.

That second life for Wainwright almost slipped away after a hard-hit single by Jordy Mercer to lead off the second …

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