NATIONAL LEAGUE

Cards can’t solve Liriano

Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher Francisco Liriano (right) is congratulated by catcher Tony Sanchez after his complete-game four-hitter in Wednesday night’s 5-1 victory over the St. Louis Cardinals. Liriano retired the Cardinals in order six times.
Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher Francisco Liriano (right) is congratulated by catcher Tony Sanchez after his complete-game four-hitter in Wednesday night’s 5-1 victory over the St. Louis Cardinals. Liriano retired the Cardinals in order six times.

ST. LOUIS - For the second time since the All-Star break, Francisco Liriano had dazzling stuff against St. Louis. The left-hander shook off the worst outing of his career and saved the Pittsburgh Pirates bullpen, too.

Loriano pitched a four-hitter Wednesday night as the Pirates defeated the Cardinals 5-1 to take a three-game lead in the National League Central.

“It was important because every game counts, especially after last night,” Liriano said. “It was a tough game last night, and we had to put that one behind us and come ready to play.”

Pedro Alvarez and Garrett Jones homered for the Pirates, who ended a season-worst four-game losing streak.

The Pirates had a five-run cushion after four innings against rookie Shelby Miller, who didn’t miss a turn five days after getting drilled on the elbow and lasting just two pitches against the Los Angeles Dodgers. They are 8-4 against the Cardinals heading into the series finale matching starters A.J. Burnett (North Little Rock, Central Arkansas Christian) and Lance Lynn.

“You give up five runs, you just get out pitched,” Miller said. “I mean, it’s simple. I didn’t do very good.”

Pittsburgh totaled just 10 runs during the losing streak and won in2 hours, 30 minutes one night after losing 4-3 in 14 innings in a game that lasted 4:55. Pirates relievers worked eight innings Wednesday.

Starling Marte was the goat in that loss after dropping a routine fly ball that would have been the second out in the ninth, but he contributed a two-run double Wednesday.

“Everybody tried to help me,” Marte said. “What happened last night, I was feeling bad and somebody told me to keep my head up and play.”

Liriano (13-5) struck out six and needed just 94 pitches, improving to 3-0 in his career against St. Louis. His last time out, he was punished for 10 runs in 2 1/3 innings at Colorado.

Liriano said he had no control against the Rockies, but he carved up the Cardinals.

“That was the mulligan,” Pirates Manager Clint Hurdle said. “What we’ve seen all year, he’s just given us chances to win. He’s pitched deep into games, he’s mixed pitches, he’s really been in command when runners get on base.”

Matt Carpenter doubled and eventually scored on a ground out by Carlos Beltran in the ninth to snap Liriano’s shutout bid. He settled for his second complete game of the year and third of his career.

“You couldn’t really tell what was coming out of his hand,” Cardinals Manager Mike Matheny said. “You could tell he had late life by the way the guys were reacting.”

Alvarez hit his 29th home run an estimated 440 feet to straightaway center leading off the second against Miller (11-8), and with one out Jones lined his 11th over the right-field wall estimated at 392 feet. Marte’s hit capped a three-run fourth, with two of the runs unearned because of a fielding error by third baseman David Freese.

Miller gave up two home runs for the fourth time and has lost all of those starts, twice against Pittsburgh. In 6 innings, he gave up 5 runs, 3 earned, on 8 hits.

Liriano retired the side in order six times, twice with the help of double plays. A third double play helped him escape without damage in the second when the Cardinals had two of their hits.

In the three starts prior to his clunker at Colorado, Liriano allowed one earned run over 21 2/3 innings in winning three consecutive starts.

The Cardinals are 3-6 with one game to go on a 10-game home stand that began with series losses to the Cubs and Dodgers.

Michael Wacha, one of St. Louis’ top pitching prospects, made his first career relief appearance and struck out four in two scoreless innings.

Sports, Pages 17 on 08/15/2013

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