| SEASON | CAREER |
| W7 | 63 |
| L12 | 62 |
| G22 | 190 |
| IP116.1 | 1067.0 |
| BB51 | 424 |
| SO111 | 1037 |
| SEASON | CAREER |
| W13 | 14 |
| L5 | 6 |
| G23 | 41 |
| IP138.0 | 172.0 |
| BB50 | 61 |
| SO135 | 175 |
Playing one of their most important late-summer series in years, the Pirates gained a crucial game on the St. Louis Cardinals in the opener and hope to extend their lead in the NL wild-card standings when the teams continue their three-game set in St. Louis on Saturday.
In contention this late in August for the first time in 15 years, the Pirates handled the pressure on the road and beat the defending World Series champions 2-1 on Friday night, moving two games ahead of St. Louis in the standings.
Pittsburgh (66-53) is currently second in the wild-card race behind Atlanta, while the Cardinals (64-55) - who had hoped to pull even with the Pirates for the final wild card - are instead neck-and-neck with San Francisco for third. The Pirates remained six games behind Cincinnati in the NL Central after the first-place Reds beat the Cubs on Friday.
On the same day Pittsburgh mailed out instructions to season ticket holders on how to purchase potential playoff tickets, the Pirates played like they belonged. James McDonald limited St. Louis to two hits in six scoreless innings, and Pittsburgh scored two runs in the fourth on a passed ball and wild pitch.
"This was a huge step forward for us," Pirates manager Clint Hurdle said. "We're going to need (McDonald) to get something done this year, I think."
The Pirates had lost six of seven before rebounding by winning the final of a series against the Dodgers and then the opener of this set. Erik Bedard (7-12, 4.56 ERA) tries to keep the momentum going when he starts Saturday. The left-hander is 1-2 with a 4.86 ERA in three career starts against the Cardinals - all this year, his first in the NL.
The Cardinals continue to struggle on offense, having dropped their last two contests by 2-1 scores. Matt Holliday is mired in a 4-for-45 funk while Carlos Beltran snapped a 2-for-20 slump with a hit in the seventh inning and scored St. Louis' only run.
"Bottom line is there are no excuses," leadoff man Jon Jay said after going 0 for 3 with a walk. "We'll turn the page. (Saturday) is a big game."
The Cardinals could get some good news, as catcher Yadier Molina might return to the lineup after missing three games with a back injury.
"Yesterday, I couldn't swing," Molina said Friday. "Today, I was swinging way better. Hopefully, tomorrow I can give you good news."
Scheduled starter Lance Lynn (13-5, 3.65) could certainly use Molina's game-calling ability behind the plate. The All-Star right-hander has given up 16 runs in 22 innings over his last four outings. He's especially struggled in the first inning, giving up three runs in the opening frame in three of those starts.
"You have to do something proactive, that's kind of been the message with Lance," Cardinals manager Mike Matheny said. "We've got to do something, don't just sit back idly and expect the first inning to change."
These teams have split their 10 meetings this season, though Pittsburgh has won four of the last five, all in St. Louis.
@
@
AVG
HRRUNSSBSOBBOBPSLGOPS
VS.
| HITTERS | AB | AVG | H | HR | RBI | BB | SO | OBP | OPS | SLG |
| Pedro Alvarez | 4 | .250 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | .400 | .650 | .250 |
| Rod Barajas | 3 | .000 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .000 | .000 | .000 |
| Clint Barmes | 7 | .286 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | .286 | .715 | .429 |
| A.J. Burnett | 1 | .000 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | .000 | .000 | .000 |
| Garrett Jones | 7 | .286 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | .286 | .572 | .286 |
| Andrew McCutchen | 4 | .000 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | .000 | .000 | .000 |
| Casey McGehee | 2 | .500 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .500 | 1.000 | .500 |
| Michael McKenry | 1 | .000 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | .000 | .000 | .000 |
| Nate McLouth | 3 | .000 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .000 | .000 | .000 |
| Charlie Morton | 1 | .000 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | .000 | .000 | .000 |
| Yamaico Navarro | 2 | .000 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | .000 | .000 | .000 |
| Alex Presley | 6 | .167 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | .167 | .834 | .667 |
| Jose Tabata | 6 | .333 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | .333 | .666 | .333 |
| Neil Walker | 5 | .000 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 2 | .286 | .286 | .000 |
VS.
| HITTERS | AB | AVG | H | HR | RBI | BB | SO | OBP | OPS | SLG |
| Carlos Beltran | 5 | .000 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2 | .167 | .167 | .000 |
| Matt Carpenter | 3 | .000 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .000 | .000 | .000 |
| Allen Craig | 3 | .333 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | .333 | 1.000 | .667 |
| Tony Cruz | 2 | .000 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | .000 | .000 | .000 |
| David Freese | 5 | .400 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 0 | .500 | 1.100 | .600 |
| Rafael Furcal | 6 | .500 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2 | .571 | 1.404 | .833 |
| Tyler Greene | 5 | .200 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2 | .333 | .533 | .200 |
| Matt Holliday | 14 | .429 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 4 | .500 | .929 | .429 |
| Jon Jay | 1 | .000 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | .500 | .500 | .000 |
| Kyle Lohse | 3 | .000 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | .000 | .000 | .000 |
| Yadier Molina | 3 | .333 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .333 | 1.000 | .667 |
| Shane Robinson | 5 | .400 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | .400 | .800 | .400 |
| Jake Westbrook | 2 | .500 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | .500 | 1.000 | .500 |
 Pittsburgh Pirates |
|||
| Date | Player | Status | Injury |
| August 15, 2012 | Neil Walker | Day-to-Day | Dislocated finger |
| August 14, 2012 | Travis Snider | Day-to-Day | Left game - Aggravated right hamstring |
| July 18, 2012 | Juan Cruz | 15-Day DL | Right shoulder inflammation |
| July 18, 2012 | Juan Cruz | 15-Day DL | Right shoulder inflammation |
| July 05, 2012 | Alex Presley | 7-Day DL | Concussion |
| July 05, 2012 | Alex Presley | 7-Day DL | Concussion |
 St. Louis Cardinals |
|||
| Date | Player | Status | Injury |
| August 16, 2012 | Yadier Molina | Day-to-Day | Back stiffness |
| August 08, 2012 | Allen Craig | Day-to-Day | Sore ribs |
| August 03, 2012 | Lance Berkman | 15-Day DL | Right knee inflammation |
| July 28, 2012 | Rafael Furcal | Day-to-Day | Stiff back |
| July 26, 2012 | David Freese | Day-to-Day | Left game - right calf cramp |
| July 24, 2012 | Lance Berkman | Day-to-Day | Left game - HBP right knee |
ST. LOUIS (AP) -- The St. Louis Cardinals needed a lift. Lucky for them, Yadier Molina was ready to return to the lineup.
Molina had three hits and two RBIs, leading the Cardinals to a big 5-4 victory over the Pittsburgh Pirates on Saturday.
St. Louis bounced back from Friday night's 2-1 loss in the series opener and pulled within a game of Pittsburgh for the second NL wild-card spot. Jaime Garcia is expected to come off the disabled list to start Sunday's series finale against Pirates right-hander Jeff Karstens .
Molina also scored a run after missing the previous three games with a sore back. The All-Star catcher hit a tiebreaking two-run double off Erik Bedard (7-13) in the fifth inning to give the Cardinals a 5-3 lead.
"Not just his presence but his production," St. Louis manager Mike Matheny said. "It's great to have Yadi back."
The Cardinals had scored just two runs in their previous two games. Batting sixth, Molina went 3 for 4.
"It feels so good," said Molina, who indicated his back was not bothering him after the game. "I was waiting for this moment the last three days. It's good to be back, it's good to get the win."
Pittsburgh loaded the bases with no outs in the ninth against Jason Motte but only managed one run on Andrew McCutchen 's infield out. Garrett Jones struck out swinging and Josh Harrison bounced into a fielder's choice to end the game.
Motte fell behind 3-0 to Jones before coming back to get him. Jones took a healthy cut at the 3-0 pitch, which was fine with Pittsburgh manager Clint Hurdle .
"He's your cleanup hitter and arguably as hot as anyone we have on the team," Hurdle said.
"We're going to play the game to win it. We're not going to be afraid to make a mistake or play on our heels."
Barret Browning (1-2) pitched a scoreless inning for his first major league win. Motte earned his 28th save in 33 chances after blowing his previous opportunity Thursday against Arizona.
Motte was not dwelling on the past when he loaded the bases Saturday.
"I don't really think about the other day," Motte said. "I was out there and I was thinking `I got to get this guy at the plate.' That's pretty much exactly what I was thinking."
Shane Robinson also had a two-run double for St. Louis, which finished with 11 hits. Rafael Furcal went 2 for 5 and scored twice, and Allen Craig had two singles.
Jordy Mercer went 2 for 4 with two RBIs for the Pirates, who struck out 14 times.
Craig's second hit put runners on the corners with two down in the fifth. Bedard then walked David Freese before Molina came up with his opposite-field double to right to put St. Louis in front.
Cardinals starter Lance Lynn allowed three runs and four hits in 4 1-3 innings. He struck out eight and walked three.
Mercer singled in Clint Barmes in the third and doubled in Starling Marte in the fifth, cutting St. Louis' lead to 3-2. Mercer eventually scored the tying run on Jones' sacrifice fly to right.
NOTES: Garcia is scheduled for his first start since June 5 after he was sidelined by a left shoulder strain. ... Cardinals slugger Matt Holliday snapped an 0-for-14 slide with a third-inning single. ... Edward Mujica pitched a scoreless seventh and has yet to allow a run in eight appearances with the Cardinals. ... Marte left in the sixth inning with discomfort in his right side and was being evaluated.
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Pittsburgh Pirates