PITTSBURGH _ Cardinals rookie Jack Flaherty, lamenting that he hadn't been more efficient in his recent starts, threw exactly two-thirds of his modest total of 84 pitches for strikes Sunday and four relievers held off the Pittsburgh Pirates for a 2-1 Cardinals triumph.
The win provided the Cardinals their third consecutive series victory, something they hadn't done all season. "We're not done yet," said Flaherty.
Flaherty (5-6) walked only one and hit one while giving up three hits and striking out seven over six innings. He had won just one of his previous eight starts and had labored through 110- and 105-pitch recent outings when he didn't make the six innings he navigated Sunday.
"That was more where I kind of wanted to be," Flaherty said.
Flaherty said his first mission was to get ahead in the count. "Then it was stay ahead," he said.
Matt Carpenter smacked his 29th homer to highlight a two-run fifth inning off loser Trevor Williams, who was matched up with Flaherty for the fourth time this season. Carson Shreve and Mike Mayers each got an out in the seventh. Jordan Hicks recorded four consecutive outs, including wriggling out of an eighth-inning, two-on jam. And Bud Norris knocked off his 21st save with a perfect ninth, striking out two.
Carpenter set a personal season high for home runs and also is tied over the National League lead.
"He's an elite hitter," said manager Mike Shildt, "so nothing he does ultimately surprise us."
On May 15, Carpenter, besides hitting just .140, had just three home runs _ one each in March, April and May. It seemed unlikely he would lead any league in homers, especially a major league.
"I think a lot of people would have had a hard time believing that, especially early in the season," said Shildt. "Maybe not Matt Carpenter."
Flaherty said, "When you've got that guy leading off where you could start the game every time on the road 1-0, it's a really good feeling. He's going to continue to be that. Carp is something special. He got his career high today and we're in August. We're riding on that guy right now."
