Nicasio rocked for 6 runs in 12th as Pirates lose to Cards

Like Cervelli, pitcher Gerrit Cole also left Friday night’s contest with an injury. He left yesterday’s game against the Cardinals with hand pain after taking a swing. In St. Louis’ last five games with him on the hill they have won four times and in their last four home games with Cole they have won every time. He allowed seven runs (six earned) on 10 hits in just 3.1 innings of work that day and he finished with four walks. He went six innings in that win and allowed three base hits while striking out seven batters. Chris Stewart took over after Cervelli was hurt in the fourth inning. Carpenter sent Feliz’s first pitch, a 97 miles per hour fastball, over the right field wall for a 3-2 lead. In that spot, when they walk a guy to get to you, even if you’ve never gotten a hit in your life, you’re like, ‘OK.

Manager Mike Matheny said that was mostly because Carpenter has not hit well against Pirates starter Francisco Liriano and to a lesser extent because Carpenter is coming off a finger injury. Catcher Francisco Cervelli had to undergo surgery due to a broken hamate bone in his left hand and will now have four to six weeks without baseball activity.

Center fielder Randal Grichuk will hit leadoff Saturday night against Pittsburgh lefthander Francisco Liriano, who has beaten the Cardinals twice already this season.

St. Louis is 4-1 in their last 5 games. Peralta and Moss also had two hits.

The Pirates scored in the second on Josh Harrison’s forceout after singles by Starling Marte and Cervelli. St. Louis picked up the win in the first game of the series, 9-3.

St. Louis’ Michael Wacha pitched well but remained winless in nine starts since April 23 when Rosenthal blew the save.

Cardinals: RHP Carlos Martinez (6-5, 3.76 ERA) will start Saturday night in the second game of the three-game series. The veteran lefty is now 4-5 with a 5.25 ERA through 11 starts this year and he has given up 63 hits in 61.2 innings.