Pirates Rebound To Beat Cardinals, Even Series 1-1

After getting clobbered in game 1 of the NLDS, the Pittsburgh Pirates rebounded in a big way Friday, putting a clobbering of their own on the St. Louis Cardinals in a 7-1 win. The best of 5 series is now tied 1-1, moving back to Pittsburgh for Games 3 and 4.

Pittsburgh third baseman Pedro Alvarez (pictured above) was money at the plate today, going 2-4 with 2 hits (2b, HR), 2 RBI, a walk, and a monster 2 run homer in the third inning to extend the Pirate lead to 3-0.

Rookie ace Gerrit Cole out of UCLA earned the win for Pittsburgh, throwing six decisive innings, giving up only two hits and one run. Friday's win marks the 5th straight victorious start for Cole. He hopes to pitch again this postseason. To do that, the Pirates will likely need to advance to the NLCS.

The best of 5 series continues Sunday in Pittsburgh at PNC park. Francisco Liriano, who earned a win in the circle for the Pirates' wild-card victory over the Cincinnati Reds back on Tuesday, will start on the mound in Game 3. The St. Louis Cardinals will throw Joe Kelly. First pitch is set for 3:37.