The Cardinals beat the Pirates 4-1 on Friday night at Busch Stadium. Quinn Mathews (1-2) pitched 5.2 innings allowing 5 hits, 1 run with 7 strikeouts, and 1 walk. The win is Mathews 1st MLB career win.

Jimmy Crooks hit his (5th) home run.

Crooks 2(14), and Nathan Church (46) both had RBI’s.

Ryan Fernandez (2), and Caleb Ferguson (5) both picked-up holds.

Ryne Stanek picked up his (2nd) save.

The Cardinals are now 68-68.

Game 2 is Saturday afternoon at 1:15 pm.

The scheduled starting pitchers are Carmon Mlodzinski (6-6), 4.17 ERA, 105.2 innings, 85 strikeouts, 36 walks, and a whip of 1.46 vs Kyle Leahy (10-4), 3.13 ERA, 126.1 innings, 115 strikeouts, 37 walks, and a whip of 1.30.