Alvarez's Single Lifts Bucs Over Cardinals, 4-3
PITTSBURGH (AP) — Pedro Alvarez singled in the go-ahead run and the Pittsburgh Pirates won their season-high fourth consecutive game Saturday night, 4-3 over the St. Louis Cardinals.
Alvarez's hit capped a four-run fourth inning against Lance Lynn (4-2) that helped the Pirates wipe out a 3-0 deficit.
Josh Harrison and Ike Davis each had two hits for the Pirates, who have won 11 of their last 14 games against the Cardinals in Pittsburgh. Harrison also hit an RBI single in the fourth.
Jared Hughes (2-0) retired all four batters he faced in relief of starter Edinson Volquez. Mark Melancon earned his fourth save with a scoreless ninth.
Pirates outfielder Starling Marte was lifted for a pinch hitter because of tightness in his lower back.
With center fielder Andrew McCutchen getting his first game off this season and Travis Snider serving the second game of a two-game suspension, first baseman Gaby Sanchez and shortstop Jordy Mercer wound up making their first career appearances in the outfield.
Lynn allowed four runs in six innings and is winless in four starts since winning his first four starts of the season.
He gave up nine hits and two walks while striking out five as the Cardinals dropped to 3-5 on their 10-game road trip.
St. Louis' Jhonny Peralta singled in the fifth inning to extend his hitting streak to eight games.
Volquez lasted just 4 2-3 innings, surrendering three runs, four hits and four walks while striking out four.
The Cardinals have scored 10 runs in 10 1-3 innings against him in two games this season.
Volquez and Jose Tabata hit consecutive run-scoring groundouts in the fourth inning before Harrison and Alvarez followed with RBI singles.
The Cardinals took a 3-0 lead in the second. Mark Ellis singled in the first run and the second scored when Tony Cruz grounded into a double play. Ellis came home on Volquez's wild pitch.
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