Moran lifts Bucs in 9th

Vazquez earns 21st save to seal victory

Associated Press

ST. LOUIS

Colin Moran drove in the go-ahead run with an infield single and the Pittsburgh Pirates scored twice in the ninth for a 3-1 victory over the St. Louis Cardinals on Tuesday night.

Francisco Liriano (4-1) pitched the eighth and earned the victory. Felipe Vazquez pitched a 1-2-3 ninth for his 21st save.

Carlos Martinez (2-1) worked one inning of relief and took the loss.

With the score tied 1-1 and one out in the top of the ninth, Starling Marte reached base when he was hit in the back with a pitch by Martinez. Josh Bell beat the shift with a single to the left side of second base, sending Marte to third. Moran hit a sharp grounder to Kolten Wong, who made a diving stop and rose to one knee, but his throw was not in time as Moran slid safely into first and Marte scored for a 2-1 lead.

Corey Dickerson walked, loading the bases. Kevin Newman hit a grounder to short, but the Cardinals failed to turn a double play, and Bell scored to give Pittsburgh a 3-1 lead.

St. Louis starter Jack Flaherty pitched seven strong innings, but did not get a decision. He allowed one run and three hits, striking out eight and walking three, including one intentional. Flaherty’s last victory came on May 14. Since then, Flaherty has three losses and seven no-decision outings.

Pittsburgh starter Dario Agrazal pitched into the seventh before he was pulled for Richard Rodriguez. Agrazal gave up a run on five hits and three walks.

Dexter Fowler led off the seventh with a double that hit the top of the fence in left. He pulled up well before second, thinking it was a home run. Marte bobbled the ball and Fowler waltzed into third. After Wong walked, Rodriguez relieved and pitched out the jam, getting a fielder’s choice, a fly out in foul territory near first base, and a ground out.

Flaherty helped himself in the fifth by driving in a run to tie it at 1-all. With one out, a short fly by Harrison Bader fell in and he hustled for a double. After Bader stole third, Flaherty doubled down the third-base line. It was his third double and third RBI this season.

Flaherty then tried to steal third. He was called safe, but Pittsburgh challenged. The call was overturned after a review.

After going hitless the first four innings, the Pirates broke through in the fifth.