PITTSBURGH (AP) – Francisco Cervelli hit his second career grand slam, Gerrit Cole pitched seven solid innings and the Pittsburgh Pirates beat the St. Louis Cardinals 8-2 in a doubleheader opener to put St. Louis’ NL Central title hopes on hold.
The Cardinals’ magic number remained at two for their third straight division championship after the Pirates jumped on Michael Wacha (17-7).
Cervelli delivered the big blow, a shot to left field with the bases loaded in the fourth.
Neil Walker also homered for the Pirates, who moved within three games of St. Louis for first and inched closer to homefield advantage in next week’s wild-card game.
Cole (19-8) allowed two runs and seven hits in seven innings in likely his final regular-season start.