BASEBALL: Cardinals rally in ninth to make Pirates' 6 2/3 perfect frames moot

The St. Louis Cardinals capped off a thrilling comeback with a four-run rally in the ninth inning, overcoming a near-shutout to defeat the Pittsburgh Pirates 4-2 on Monday.

The Cardinals, who had been struggling with four consecutive losses and five defeats in their last six games, were no-hit through 6 2/3 innings and scoreless through 8 1/3 frames. But the offense came alive in the final inning against Pirates reliever Dennis Santana, who entered the game with an impressive 0.69 ERA and two saves.

Pedro Pages and rookie JJ Wetherholt started the rally by hitting back-to-back home runs off Santana, tying the game. Pages' home run was his third of the season, and the second in as many games, while Wetherholt’s blast marked his third consecutive game with a home run and his sixth of the season.

Ivan Herrera then walked, followed by Alec Burleson reaching base on his second infield single of the game. Jordan Walker also walked to load the bases, setting the stage for Jose Fermin, who had entered as a pinch hitter in the eighth inning. Fermin, who had already gone 2-for-2 in the game, delivered a clutch two-run double to left field, bringing in pinch runner Victor Scott II and Burleson.

Ryan Fernandez (1-0) kept the momentum going for the Cardinals, striking out four in two perfect innings of relief. George Soriano closed out the game, working around a two-out single for his first save of the season.

Dustin May, although not earning a win, kept the Cardinals in the game with a solid outing. He allowed two runs over six innings, scattering seven hits and striking out two batters.

The Pirates, relying on a bullpen game, kept the Cardinals off balance for most of the night. Mason Montgomery and Justin Lawrence combined to toss two scoreless innings, and Wilber Dotel, in just his third major league appearance, pitched four perfect innings while striking out three.

Pittsburgh’s offense came from Ryan O'Hearn and Jake Mangum, who each drove in runs. Mangum also had two hits, and Nick Gonzales extended his hitting streak to eight games, going 3-for-4 on the night.

With the loss, the Pirates dropped their second straight game.

-Field Level Media/Reuters