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Wacha, Cardinals edge Pirates 2-1 to knot NLDS

Sports

October 7th, 2013 by Ric Hanson

PITTSBURGH (AP) — Rookie Michael Wacha took a no-hit bid into the eighth inning and the St. Louis Cardinals showed off their October poise, edging the Pittsburgh Pirates 2-1 Monday and setting up a winner-take-all Game 5 in the NL division series. The Cardinals improved to 7-1 over the last three years when facing elimination in the postseason.

Pedro Alvarez hit his third home run of the series, connecting with one out in the eighth for Pittsburgh’s only hit in Game 4. Wacha and the St. Louis bullpen made Matt Holliday’s two-run homer stand up. Trevor Rosenthal worked around a two-out walk in the ninth, retiring Andrew McCutchen on a popup for his first postseason save.

Game 5 will be Wednesday in St. Louis, with ace Adam Wainwright starting for the Cardinals. The Pirates had not announced their starter.