Cardinals vs. Pirates = Longest Game This Season
For both St. Louis Cardinals and Pittsburgh Pirate fans it was a very long game for those who stayed till the very end. A crowded house at Busch Stadium of 43,437. A game that required strength, endurance and perseverance ~ even for the umpires. The game began in the early afternoon and ended in the early evening hours. The longest game recorded this season ~ 19 innings. By the end of the game, there might have been 10,000- dedicated fans remaining to watch the Cardinals fall to the Pirates, 6-3.
Cardinals SP Garcia, recently returning off the DL, had an excellent game. Pitched 8 innings, with 5 hits, allowed two unearned runs, no errors, no walks and 10 strike outs. Pirates SP Karstens allowed 2 hits, 2 runs, 2 errors, 1 walk and 4 strike outs through his 7 innings. It was a game of defense throughout and tied 2-2 after the ninth. Then longevity set in.
Two great defensive plays in the extra innings by Cardinals C Molina. In the 13th a throw out at first on an attempted steal … and in the 16th, a throw out at second on an attempted stolen base ~ both attempts by Pirates Tabata.
Both managers had to make decisions about their line-up and strategic bullpen picks, and as the game went, using most of their pitchers. Cardinals Joe Kelly, brought up for the Cardinals as a SP, had been placed in the bullpen after the return of SP Garcia. He came in at the 12th and pitched the next 5.2 innings. He was doing an excellent job with his fast ball ~ until the 17th inning. He had a wild pitch, loaded the bases with two hits, and one intentional walk of Alverez with only one out. Kelly was retired from the mound and replaced by Rzepczynski. Pirates Jones was at the plate ~ single hit to bring McDonald in to score. Pirates take the lead 3-2, but not for long. The Cardinals came back in the bottom of the 17th to tie the game with a sacrifice fly into left field by T. Cruz and Jackson, who had replaced Molina on first as pinch-runner, in for the score ~ once again game tied.
Cardinals manager Matheny decided on Browning to pitch in the 19th ~ personally, I would have gone with Salas, but it was what it was. Browning had done very well in his last few RP appearances…so Matheny’s confidence obviously there for him. However, and unfortunate for him and the Cardinals, the first batter he faced was Alverez. On a 1-2 count, Alverez hit a solo home run. Then Pirates McCutchen followed with a two run RBI.
The Cardinals could not overcome in the bottom of the 19th. Pirates CP W. Rodriguez held the Cardinals in the last two innings, to 1 hit, 1 walk and 3 strike outs. The Cardinals lose the game of endurance, along with two games of the three game series to the Pirates. This puts the Cardinals (65-56) back two games behind the Pirates (67-54) in the NL Central. The Cincinnati Reds (74-48) continue to increase their lead with two wins of their three game series over the Cubs (47-73).
The Cardinals have today off before hosting Houston in their last 3 game series at home. The Pirates travel to San Diego to play the Padres ~ their series beginning tonight. We will see if the long game of yesterday affects the Pirates series to be played. However, they are a tough team … and this is baseball. Many games in many days.
Hopefully everyone enjoyed their games yesterday. Two shutouts yesterday, Dodgers over the Braves, 5-0, and the Phillies take out the Brewers, 8-0. Other scores, the Nationals, still holding strong, won over the Mets, 5-2. The Rangers handle the Blue Jays easily, 11-2. Tampa Bay ousted the Angels, 8-3. And the Royals come out on top of the White Sox, 5-2.
Now, as we are closing in on fall season playoffs ~ only 41 games left to play in regular season….is interesting to note ~ the Cardinals were at the same W/L record last year as they stand now. Will be interesting to see if they can have a repeat performance. But I’m sure ~ if the Nationals, or the Rangers, have anything to say about it ~ NOT!
To all have a great day!! Always, Elichap
Cardinal_Fan.Elichap 
Morning, Jackie. Don’t know if you saw this game or not ~ but as a Tweeter commented ~ “have had breakfast, lunch and dinner watching this game!” LOL…a very long day for both teams….and fans who stuck around til the end. I tweeted “blow by blow” as long as I could to the bottom of the 18th ~ then my husband decided it was time for our dinner!! lol… It is what it was. You have a great day and thanks for reading. Always, Beth
Morning, Alicia ~ thanks for stopping by and reading. Hope you enjoyed the blog. Glad to know a “Cardinal Fan” found my blog…..was beginning to wonder if any existed here at WP!! LOL… Have a great day and hopefully, the Cards to begin to get serious about this season. They certainly have the talent to be contenders again this year. Take care and thanks again ~ much appreciated. Always, Beth