Pair of Pirates’ homers sink Hudson in Cardinals’ 5-1 loss

ST. LOUIS — Pittsburgh’s Derek Shelton staged baseball’s first major, socially distanced umpire argument, then got his first victory as a big league manager as the Pirates beat the St. Louis Cardinals 5-1 on Sunday.

Colin Moran and Jose Osuna homered, and Mitch Keller pitched five solid innings for the Pirates.

Shelton came out to argue with plate umpire Jordan Baker in the third inning after pitcher Derek Holland was ejected from the dugout for arguing balls and strikes.

Shelton pulled a gaiter over his face as he left the dugout, and Baker pulled a face mask out of his pocket and held it to his face as Shelton argued from about six feet away. Baker let Shelton say his peace, and the first-year skipper was not ejected.

Pittsburgh avoided being swept and beat the Cardinals for just the second time in their last 14 meetings.

Keller (1-0) faced St. Louis for the first time in his career. He gave up one run, two hits and three walks while striking out three. His only blemish came when Kolten Wong scored on Tommy Edman’s infield single in the third inning.

Cardinals starter Dakota Hudson (0-1) gave up four runs, including two homers, in 4 1/3 innings. Hudson lost for the first time in four career starts against the Pirates, and it was his first loss against an NL Central opponent after winning his previous five starts in 2019.

Pittsburgh scored three runs in the fourth. Moran homered with two outs, and that was followed by Phillip Evans‘ infield single and a two-run shot to center by Osuna for a 3-1 lead.

Jacob Stallings scored on a sacrifice fly from Josh Bell to make it 4-1 in the fifth. They made it 5-1 in the eighth when Bell scored from first on a Phillip Evans double.

RUNNING OUT OF DAYLIGHT

Hudson lost for just the third time in 14-day game starts. He is now 7-3 in afternoon games.

MAJOR LEAGUE DEBUTS

Pirates RHP JT Brubaker threw two scoreless innings in his major league debut. Brubaker had spent the last five years in the minor leagues.

Cardinals RHP Kodi Whitley also made his major league debut in a relief appearance in the top seventh. He retired all three batters he faced.

TRAINER’S ROOM

Pirates: OF Gregory Polanco (COVID-19) remains out of the lineup. Shelton has been checking in with him back in Pittsburgh. “I talked to (Polanco) two days ago. The reports have been good. I know he’s working out again today.” Shelton said. “As we continue to see him, we’ll make an evaluation of when he’ll be back.”

Cardinals: OF Harrison Bader was out of the starting lineup after being hit by two pitches Saturday. Cardinals manager Mike Shildt said it felt like the right time just to give Bader a break. “Harrison’s fine. You know, he’s a tough dude.” … RHP Giovanny Gallegos (undisclosed illness) is expected to be added the roster for Tuesday’s game in Minnesota.

UP NEXT

Pirates: LHP Steven Brault (4-6, 5.16 ERA in 2019) will face the Milwaukee Brewers on Monday for the Pirates home opener. Brault is 1-3 in 10 career starts against the Brewers.

Cardinals: RHP Carlos Martinez (4-2, 3.17 ERA, 24 saves in 2019) makes his first start for the Cardinals since July 30, 2018, Tuesday in Minnesota against the Twins to start a seven-game road trip. Martinez is 0-2 in his career against the Twins.