Jordan Walker hit a bases-loaded double during a six-run seventh inning, leading the St. Louis Cardinals to a 10-5 win over the Pittsburgh Pirates on Wednesday night in the third game of a four-game series.
“It was a fastball up,” Walker said. “It was a pitch I wanted to hit. He gave me a fastball in. I just threw my hands at it and things went my way.”
Brendan Donovan contributed a two-run homer, and Masyn Winn added a solo shot. Nolan Arenado had three hits, drove in a run, scored twice, and walked two times.
For the Pirates, Billy Cook, who was called up on September 8, hit his first big league home run—a three-run blast—after being traded from the Orioles at the deadline.
“I’m thankful it went out,” Cook said. “I just relaxed and it worked out.”
Rookie Michael McGreevy (2-0) pitched three scoreless innings in relief, striking out four and allowing only two hits. This was his first time pitching in relief since 2019 while he was in college at UC Santa Barbara.
“Once I got on the mound, it all felt natural,” McGreevy said. “Just attack hitters. When you have a five-run lead, it’s just go get them.”
David Bednar (3-8) took the loss, giving up three runs, two of which were earned, in just one-third of an inning in relief.
Pirates starter Jake Woodford faced his former team for the first time, going 4 2/3 innings and allowing four runs on eight hits while striking out five and not walking anyone.
Cardinals starter Sonny Gray pitched 5 2/3 innings, giving up four runs on nine hits. He struck out eight and surpassed 200 strikeouts for the second time in his career. Gray had 205 strikeouts while playing for the Reds in 2019.
“It’s a neat feat,” Gray said. “It’s not easy to do.”
