PITTSBURGH Albert PujolsTwo home runs were hit, and then the warmup tosses were caught by star catcher. Yadier MolinaTo close out the game, he made his first pitching appearance. St. Louis Cardinals’18-4 romp to the Pittsburgh PiratesSunday
Molina gave up two homers and four runs in the ninth inning to complete the Cardinals’ three-game sweep.
St. Louis was not the only one who enjoyed it. Starter Steven MatzHe was only able to pitch for four pitches before he was pulled by stiffness in his left shoulder.
Matz, an offseason free-agent, has had an up-and down start. Toronto Blue Jays. He started Sunday’s game with a mark of 3-3 and a 6.03 ERA.
Pujols has increased his career home run total to 683. Pinch-hitting for Nolan ArenadoPujols launched a 425-foot drive from the left-field rotunda with St. Louis ahead 11-0 in fifth inning
The 42-year old slugger hit a three-run homer in ninth inning off a Pirates infielder Josh VanMeterThe ninth. Pujols is currently fifth on all-time homer lists, 13 behind Alex Rodriguez, who is fourth. His 32 at PNC park are the most ever by an opposing player.
Molina won his 18-0 victory with St. Louis exactly one week after Pujols made his big league debut. Pujols was at the plate to warm his long-time teammate between innings.
Molina, 39, was a perennial All-Star and Gold Glove winner at catching pitches. However, he didn’t quite do as well throwing them. To save his solo homer, he gave it up. Yoshi TsutsugoAnd a three-run drive Jack Suwinski.
Molina allowed four runs in his inning and threw all 20 pitches for strikes. He did not strike out or walk. Pujols was also able to allow four runs and two hits in an inning, while San Francisco won last Sunday night.
Angel Rondon (1-0), after Matz had left, came in to strike out. Ke’Bryan HayesWith his first pitch. Rondon allowed only one hit in five innings, striking out four batters and walking three. This was his first win in major league baseball.
Rondon was recalled from the taxi team before the game and made his third appearance in the major league, and first since June 12, 2021.
Highly regarded prospect Nolan GormanHe doubled in the first and gave the Cardinals their first major league RBI. He had three hits, and he was 5 for 10 with 2 doubles in his first series of the majors.
Tommy EdmanHe also scored three of the Cardinals’ twenty hits. He had two doubles and was a key to a six-run second against the Cardinals. Bryse Wilson (0-3).
Harrison BaderVanMeter was also a homer off VanMeter. This was his first pitching appearance in major leagues. VanMeter is a regular outfielder and second baseman. In an emergency, he was called upon to be a catcher.
This report was compiled by the Associated Press.