ST. LOUIS (AP) — Jake Woodford and three relievers scattered eight hits, Nolan Gorman drove in two runs, and the St. Louis Cardinals beat the Pittsburgh Pirates 3-0 on Friday night.
Woodford gave up seven hits in 5 1/3 innings but only one for extra bases, a double by Austin Hedges leading off the fifth. He retired the next three batters to escape that jam.
“I leaned on the sinker a lot,” Woodford said. “I let our defense work. They are unbelievable out there. I stayed in attack mode. That's something I definitely need to do.”
Zach Thompson (1-0) worked 1 2/3 innings, striking out four, Drew VerHagen was perfect in the eighth, and Giovanny Gallegos followed suit in the ninth for his first save.
“I know that my stuff plays here,” Thompson said. “There's not an ounce of doubt in my mind that I can land a pitch here. If I make a good pitch, chances are good things will happen.”
Johan Oveido (1-1) was outstanding for Pittsburgh, allowing one run in seven innings, striking out a career-high 10. Oviedo made 33 appearances and 19 starts for St. Louis over three seasons before being traded to the Pirates last year at the deadline for veteran left-hander Jose Quintana.
“We didn't get the results that we wanted but we'll come back tomorrow and try and get that ballgame,” Oviedo said. “I have a lot confidence in my secondary pitches. I would say the slider and the curveball. ... I didn't try and do too much. I just try to have fun.”
Nolan Arenado went 3-for-3 with a walk, and Gorman finished 3-for-4. Arenado hit a one-out single in the sixth and later scored on Gorman's single as St. Louis finally broke through against Oveido and ended a 14-inning scoring drought against Pittsburgh.
“He pitched really well,” Pirates manager John Shelton said. “He only gave up the one run. It was a good pitch. Gorman did a good job to get that ball into the outfield.”
St. Louis added two runs off reliever Duane Underwood Jr. in the eighth. Willson Contreras and Gorman both had RBI singles, with Contreras snapping a career-long hitless streak of 22 consecutive at-bats.
“That was good. He's been wanting that,” St. Louis manager Oliver Marmol said. “Hopefully that jump-starts him. To see him come through was good. This is a guy that can really hit."
REST FOR THE YOUNGSTER
Rookie OF Jordan Walker did not start for the first time this season, one day after his 12-game hitting streak to start the year was snapped. The 20-year-old Walker's streak tied the major league record for the longest by a player age 20 or younger to start a career. Walker entered in the eighth as a pinch-runner and scored, staying in the game in right field.
IT TAKES TWO
Cardinals right fielder Alex Burleson threw out Canaan Smith-Njigba at the plate in the fourth when he tried to score on Mark Mathias' two-out single. Catcher Contreras went up the line to catch Burleson’s throw and apply the tag. It was Burleson's first career assist.
“That was huge,” Woodford said. “Burly threw an absolute strike and Willy was in great position. It was definitely a momentum booster for sure."
ROSTER MOVES
The Pirates activated Hedges from the concussion injured list. C Tyler Heineman was optioned to Triple-A Indianapolis. ... RHP Robert Stephenson (right elbow inflammation) completed his rehab assignment with Indianapolis and was reinstated from the 15-day IL.
TRAINER’S ROOM
Pirates: RHP Chase De Jong (back) was put on the 15-day IL retroactive to April 13.
Cardinals: OF Lars Nootbaar (left thumb contusion) hit live balls off RHP Adam Wainwright before the game and shagged flyballs in the outfield. He could be activated Saturday. ... Wainwright (groin) threw 45 pitches to simulate three innings before the game. He is expected to make a rehab appearance on Tuesday for Double-A Springfield.
UP NEXT
Pirates: RHP Roansy Contreras (1-1, 8.00 ERA) will make his third start of the season.
Cardinals: LHP Steven Matz (0-2, 8.18 ERA) gave up six runs on nine hits in a 7-4 loss at Colorado in his last start.
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