The two teams with the best record in the National League, St. Louis Cardinals (87-49) and Pittsburgh Pirates (81-54), squared off for Sunday Night Baseball at Busch Stadium in what could end up being a playoff preview.
It's was a pitcher's duel for most of the game, but the Pirates began to chip away at Cardinals pitcher John Lackey and later into the bullpen.
The road team won 7-1 thanks to two RBI singles by second basemen Neil Walker and pitcher Gerrit Cole and two eighth inning home runs by third baseman Aramis Ramirez and pinch hitter Sean Rodriguez. Left fielder Starling Marte added a two-run homer in the ninth.
Cardinals pinch hitter Cody Stanley's RBI single was the home team's only run.
The two teams each sent out stellar pitchers to maintain their current playoff leads over the chasing Chicago Cubs. Lackey (11-9) was on the mound for the Cardinals, while the Pirates sent out Cole (16-8). Both starting pitchers are done for the night. Cole went 7 shutout innings and got the win, while Lackey went 7 1/3 innings and gave up three earned runs for the loss.
On the last Sunday without football, it's a must-see game to watch two of baseball's best square off at the Arch.
We'll be here with live updates and analysis from first pitch to the last out. Stay with us and feel free to comment.
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