PITTSBURGH _ Jedd Gyorko's ninth-inning, pinch-hit single off Pittsburgh relief ace Felipe Rivero tied the score, and the go-ahead run scored on a fielder's choice grounder as the Cardinals, two outs from a potentially crushing loss, rallied to beat the Pirates, 4-3.
Stephen Piscotty doubled off left-hander Rivero to start the ninth and was run for Harrison Bader. Carson Kelly, who had come in late for Yadier Molina after the latter was pinch run for, failed to sacrifice but moved Bader to third with a fly to right.
With Rivero holding left-handed hitters to an .084 average, Matt Carpenter was pinch hit for by right-handed-hitting Gyorko, who singled through a drawn-in infield. Tommy Pham bounced a single over the head of first baseman Josh Bell, sending pinch runner Randal Grichuk to third.
Pham took off as Dexter Fowler grounded to shortstop Jordy Mercer who sprawled to make the stop but could not get Pham as he flipped the ball futilely. Grichuk scored and Fowler was safe at first.
Former Pirate Juan Nicasio pitched a scoreless eighth and ninth as the Cardinals moved a season high nine games over .500 at 81-72 with their fourth straight win and, temporarily, moved one game behind second wild-card leader Colorado and into a tie with Milwaukee.
