PITTSBURGH _ Right-handed rookie Jack Flaherty, after throwing 120 pitches and striking out 13 in his first major-league win last Sunday against Philadelphia, dialed back his strikeout total to only four Saturday as he threw 88 pitches (61 strikes) pitches in six innings. But the result still was the same _ one run allowed _ as Flaherty and the Cardinals beat the Pittsburgh Pirates, 4-1.
The victory was the Cardinals' first in five games at PNC Park this year and snapped an overall losing streak of three games.
Flaherty allowed just four hits and walked two before relief came from Tyler Lyons, Jordan Hicks and Bud Norris. Over his last 14 innings, Flaherty has permitted only six hits and two solo homers, the one Saturday by Starling Marte.
Hicks, topping out at 102.7 mph, was particularly impressive, getting five ground-ball outs while allowing a harmless single in 12/3 innings.
Matt Carpenter, moved back to the leadoff spot, opened the game with his 16th leadoff home run. He also had his first bunt single of the season.
Rookie shortstop Yairo Munoz had two singles, drove in a run and scored a run and Jose Martinez, the new No. 2 hitter, had three hits and drove in a run.
The win was costly, though, as right fielder Dexter Fowler had to be helped off the field after being hit by a pitch below the right knee in the fourth inning. The club announced that X-rays were negative and that Fowler, who will be evaluated again on Sunday, was "day to day."
