Martinez Shuts Down Pirates, Cardinals Win 4

Yasiel Puig ended an RBI drought of 51 at-bats with a two-run homer and two-run double for the NL West leaders.

Carlos Martinez pitched seven and a third shutout innings and led the Cardinals to a 4-1 win over the Pirates Thursday night in Pittsburgh, PA. Lynn settled for a no-decision against Pittsburgh on May 1 despite yielding only one run and striking out 10 in seven frames, keeping his career record versus the Pirates at 5-3 with a 4.43 ERA in 16 games (14 starts).Cole looks to become the first 13-game victor in the major leagues after allowing three runs and five hits in eight innings of a victory against Cleveland on Sunday.

The Pittsburgh Pirates attempt to even their four-game series against the St. Louis Cardinals at one victory apiece when they host their National League Central rivals on Friday. Pittsburgh (50-35) had its five-game winning streak snapped in the opener of a four-game series. “We didn’t square many balls up against him, that’s for sure”.

Only one of the runs was earned because shortstop Jordy Mercer booted first baseman Xavier Scruggs’ grounder for an error with no outs. It was his first complete game of the season.

Masahiro Tanaka allowed two hits over 7 2-3 innings, Brett Gardner hit a first-inning home run and learned midgame he had been picked for his first All-Star team, as the Yankees rallied past the Oakland Athletics 6-2.

Colorado beat Atlanta 5-3 at rain-soaked Coors Field, and Troy Tulowitzki singled to extend his hitting streak to 21 games ” longest in the majors this season ” for the Rockies.

Locke was pulled for a pinch hitter in the bottom of the fifth. Matt Carpenter started the scoring with a 2 run single.

He was locked in a battle with Pirates starter Jeff Locke until the fifth inning when the offense came around. “This is a good team we’re playing”. Pirates LF Starling Marte missed a fourth consecutive game because of a strained left oblique.

Fernandez won for the second time in two outings since his return from Tommy John surgery.