St. Louis Cardinals pitcher Shelby Miller finally figured out the Pittsburgh Pirates as the St. Louis Cardinals defeated their National League Central opponent on Friday night with a 1-0 win.
Apr 25, 2014; St. Louis, MO, USA; St. Louis Cardinals starting pitcher Shelby Miller (40) reacts after getting Pittsburgh Pirates center fielder Andrew McCutchen (not pictured) to hit into a inning ending double play during the third inning at Busch Stadium. Image Credit: Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports
Miller, who picked up the win and boasts a 2-2 record with a 2.86 ERA this season, pitched 5.2 innings for the win. The Texas native allowed three hits, walked four, and struck out four on the night.
Since being called up at the end of the 2012 season, Miller has struggled against the Pirates. Against the Pirates, Miller owns a 1-5 record with a 4.91 ERA in six starts. He has allowed 20 runs (18 earned) on 38 hits in 33 innings pitched, including nine home runs, while walking 16 and striking out 27 batters.
Whether this will be the new normal for Miller and the Pirates remains to be season.
The Cardinals, offensively, got on the board in the first inning with a single run scored. It would be the only run needed as Miller and four relievers combined to pitch a four-hit shutout.
Matt Holliday, who had a 3-hit game, scored the game winner with a RBI double that scored Matt Carpenter from first base. His double was one of two extra-base hits for the Cardinals with Jhonny Peralta‘s double in the fourth inning being the other.