Cardinals top Pirates 4-1 on Mathews' first MLB victory

Quinn Mathews allowed one run over 5 2/3 innings for his first major league win and Jimmy Crooks hit a two-run homer to lead the St. Louis Cardinals to a 4-1 victory over the Pittsburgh Pirates on Friday night.

Ryan Fernandez followed Mathews with two scoreless innings. Fernandez left after a two-out walk to Brian Reynolds in the eighth and Caleb Ferguson got the final out when Reynolds was hit on the foot on a single through the infield by Oneil Cruz. Ryne Stanek struck out two in the ninth for his second save.

Nolan Gorman had a one-out double off Jacob Jones (2-6) in the third and Crooks followed with his fifth home run of the season for a 2-0 lead.

Jordan Walker and José Fermín singled leading off the fourth, and Nathan Church hit a sacrifice fly for a 3-0 advantage.

Walker singled and scored on a two-out throwing error by shortstop Jacob Gonzalez for a run in the eighth.

Jones surrendered three runs on seven hits with a walk and six strikeouts over 4 2/3 innings.

St. Louis (68-68) improves to 6-2 on the season against the Pirates.

The Pirates have not announced Saturday’s starting pitcher. The Cardinals will send out RHP Kyle Leahy (10-4, 3.13 ERA).


(AP Photo Michael Thomas)