Cardinals split series with Pirates in frustrating fashion

Nolan Gorman and good pitching lead Cardinals to win Friday

Jake Woodford finally had a good start. He pitched 5.1 innings, and despite giving up seven hits and a walk, Woodford gave up no runs while striking out three. Zack Thompson earned the win going 1.2 innings, giving up a hit and a walk while striking out four batters. Drew VerHagen held the game with one inning of work. Giovanny Gallegos earned his first save of the season, pitching an inning and striking out one.

The team got some good defense as well...

Johan Oviedo earned the loss in his first contest of the year against his former team. Nolan Gorman singled on a liner to center, scoring Nolan Arenado. Gorman advanced to second. Willson Contreras knocked his first hit as a Cardinal in the eighth inning, singling to right field and scoring Jordan Walker. Contreras appeared so relieved to get that first hit as a Cardinal finally. Gorman singled to right field, scoring Arenado.

Cardinals lose in extra innings on Saturday

Steven Matz pitched 5.2 innings giving three hits, five walks, and two earned runs, including a homer. He did strike out six batters. Chris Stratton pitched two innings giving up two hits and an earned run. He did strike out a batter. Ryan Helsley pitched 1.1 innings. He gave up two hits and a walk while striking out two.

The Cardinals did get some good defense...

Alec Burleson knocked a ground-rule double in the first inning, driving in Brendon Donovan. Nolan Gorman hit a sacrifice fly to center field, scoring Burleson. In the seventh inning, Paul Goldschmidt walked with the bases loaded to score Lars Nootbaar. Unfortunately, the team was 2-for-13 with runners in scoring position on Saturday. They left nine runners on the basepath.

Jordan Hicks got the loss in another one-third of an inning. He gave up three hits, three runs, and two earned runs, including a home run to Andrew McCutcheon in the tenth inning. He did strike out a batter. Genesis Cabrera closed out the tenth.

Hicks being shifted to lower leverage situations

Before Sunday's game, the team management had a meeting with Hicks regarding how to get him back on track. Since Hicks has five years of service in the league, he would have to approve being sent on a minor league assignment.

Marmol told media Sunday morning that they are not in a "developmental league," but would have to find a way to use Hicks in low-leverage situations to "get him right." Hicks has a 12.71 ERA after 5.2 innings of work over seven games. He's allowed nine runs, eight of which were earned. He's given up 11 hits and eight walks while striking out six.

It seems the team is sacrificing having another arm that can be effective and not bruise Hicks' ego. The team would have to release him if they were to try to get him to the minor leagues. Releasing him could serve him up to another team that would like to take a gamble on Hicks; potential. The Cardinals obviously do not want to take that gamble.

The Cardinals seemingly have to hope for the best by putting Hicks in low-leverage situations to build his confidence.

Cardinals get exciting win in extras on Sunday

Sunday brought Nolan Arenado's 32nd birthday, and all he wanted was a little fun.

Miles Mikolas struggled but made it through 5.2 innings giving up seven hits, two walks, and three runs, two of which were earned. He did strike out four batters. Andre Pallante pitched an inning, giving up a hit and walking two. He did strike out a batter. Zack Thompson pitched 1.1 innings. Giovanny Gallegos pitched an inning, striking out one batter. Drew VerHagen earned the win, going one inning while giving up one run.

Willson Contreras singled to second base, deflected by first baseman Carols Santana. Paul Goldschmidt scored from second base. In the sixth inning, Lars Nootbaar tied the game at three with his first home run, scoring Contreras.

In the bottom of the tenth, Nolan Gorman hit a ground-rule double to right field, scoring Goldschmidt. With the game tied at four, Tommy Edman knocked a single to center field, scoring pinch-runner Tyler O'Neill. What an exciting victory!

The win marks the 100th victory for manager Oli Marmol.

The Cardinals will host the Diamondbacks in a three game set starting Monday.