Oneil Cruz scores winning run as Pirates beat Cardinals to avoid series sweep

Oneil Cruz's speed and athleticism were key factors in the Pirates' 3-2 win over the Cardinals, as he made a spectacular catch in center field and scored the winning run. Pitcher Luis Ortiz gave the Pirates a quality start, allowing 2 runs over 6 innings with 7 strikeouts. Nick Gonzales had a triple and RBI single to drive in 2 of the Pirates' 3 runs. The Cardinals took a 2-1 lead in the 6th inning on RBIs from Paul Goldschmidt and Brendan Donovan, but Yasmani Grandal's solo home run tied it in the 7th. The Pirates regained the lead 3-2 in the 8th inning when Cruz scored on Gonzales' single after drawing a walk and advancing on a hit by Connor Joe. Aroldis Chapman earned the save for the Pirates, getting 3 outs in the 9th to preserve the 3-2 win. The win avoided a series sweep for the Pirates against the Cardinals. Brendan Donovan had a strong game for the Cardinals, going 4-for-4 with a double and 2 RBIs. The win improved the Pirates' record to 72-81 on the season. The article provides detailed play-by-play and statistical information about the key moments and performances in the game.

Original Article: https://triblive.com/sports/oneil-cruz-scores-game-winning-run-as-pirates-beat-cardinals-to-avoid-series-sweep/

Original Article Author: Kevin Gorman