Game result and context
St. Louis Cardinals defeat Pittsburgh Pirates 5-1 in 2026 regular season matchup
The St. Louis Cardinals improved to 77-81 after a 5-1 win against the 80-78 Pittsburgh Pirates. A three-run third inning and a two-run fourth inning provided the necessary offense for the Cardinals to overcome an early deficit.
Final result
The St. Louis Cardinals defeated the Pittsburgh Pirates with a final score of 5-1. The game concluded after nine innings of play on September 23, 2026.
How the game changed
The Pirates took an early lead in the bottom of the second inning when Brandon Lowe hit a solo home run. However, the Cardinals responded decisively in the top of the third inning by scoring three runs to take a 3-1 lead. They extended that advantage in the fourth inning with two additional runs, bringing the score to 5-1. The Cardinals' pitching staff held the Pirates scoreless for the remainder of the game to secure the win.
Key performances
Matthew Liberatore earned the win for the Cardinals, pitching 5.2 innings and recording six strikeouts while allowing only one earned run. Offensively, JJ Wetherholt led the Cardinals with three hits and one RBI in four at-bats. Masyn Winn and Alec Burleson also contributed an RBI each. For the Pirates, Brandon Lowe provided the team's only run with his second-inning home run, finishing the game with two hits. Antwone Kelly provided 2.0 innings of scoreless relief for Pittsburgh, striking out three batters.
Season and playoff context
Following this game, the St. Louis Cardinals hold a record of 77-81. The Pittsburgh Pirates move to 80-78 on the season. This contest was part of a three-game regular season series.