ST. LOUIS — The odds that Thursday’s game would be decided by a small margin was a reality that Cardinals’ manager Oli Marmol expected.
After all, that’s the only kind of games the Cardinals seem to play lately.
This time, they also had to figure out in advance that if they had a lead going to the ninth inning in a close game, how they would navigate that inning with closer Ryan Helsley unavailable after pitching on consecutive days.
Their plan worked, with Andrew Kittredge getting the final three outs in the one-run win over the Pirates at Busch Stadium.
Brendan Donovan’s homer leading off the sixth inning provided the winning margin.
It was the 17th time in their last 21 games that the Cardinals’ game was decided by three or fewer runs. That has been the final margin in 48 of the 67 games they have played this season.
“It allows us to learn how to play in close games,” Marmol said. “When you go down the stretch that’s what matters. I thjnk we will benefit from that come the next couple of months.”
In those 17 close games, out of 21 total since May 20, the Cardinals have gone 11-6.
Here is how Thursday’s game broke down:
At the plate: The Cardinals took a 2-0 lead in the third on Paul Goldschmidt’s eighth homer of the season. It came after a triple by Masyn Winn, and was the first home run by the Cardinals with a runner in scoring position since May 20 … With two outs in the fourth, Jose Fermin also was credited with a triple and then scored on a single by Pedro Pages … Donovan’s homer was his fifth of the season and first since May 7.
On the mound: Lance Lynn shut out the Pirates on two hits through the first four innings, but walks to the seventh and ninth-place hitters, with a single in between, got him in trouble in the fifth. He was pulled after giving up an infield single, and John King gave up a two-run single on his first pitch to Oneil Cruz that tied the game … King has allowed six of 10 inherited runners to score this season … King and four other relievers combined allowed only two hits and two walks over the final 4 2/3 innings to secure the victory … The save for Kittredge was his first since Aug. 18 of last year for Tampa Bay.
Key stat: Goldschmidt’s home run was his first in 68 plate appearances with a runner in scoring position. He struck out with runners on first and second in the fifth, as did Nolan Gorman. Combined, the team’s third and fourth-place hitters are 18-of-111 with a runner in scoring position this year, a .162 average.
Worth noting: The Cardinals finished the homestand against the Rockies and Pirates with a 4-3 record … Despite Lynn’s short outing, in the last five games the Cardinals’ starters have posted a 2.15 ERA, allowing seven runs over 29 1/3 innings, while giving up 20 hits, walking eight and striking out 33 … Goldschmidt’s homer was the fifth by the Cardinals out of their 30 at home this season with a runner on second or third … Steven Matz’s next rehab start will be on Sunday in Springfield, a day after reliever Riley O’Brien begins his rehab assignment with the club.
Looking ahead: The Cardinals will be at Wrigley Field in Chicago for the opener of a three-game series on Friday. Kyle Gibson is the scheduled starter, to be followed in the series by Andre Pallante and Miles Mikolas. All three games will be day games.
Follow Rob Rains on Twitter @RobRains
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