Goldschmidt lifts Cards over Pirates with go-ahead, three-run homer

ST. LOUIS — Paul Goldschmidt hit a go-ahead, three-run homer off Michael Feliz in the seventh inning, and the St. Louis Cardinals beat Pittsburgh 6-5 on Wednesday, dealing the Pirates their fifth loss in six games.

St. Louis trailed 4-3 when Tommy Edman singled off Francisco Liriano (4-2) with one out in the seventh and José Martinez walked. Feliz relieved, and Goldschmidt followed with his 18th homer.

John Brebbia (3-3) struck out four in two perfect innings. Carlos Martínez gave up an RBI single to Bryan Reynolds in the ninth before Starling Marté hit into a forceout, giving Martinez his sixth save in eight chances.

Tyler O’Neill also homered for the Cardinals, who won two of three from the Pirates.

O’Neill singled in a run in the first and hit a solo homer in the fifth. He is 10 for his last 20 with four home runs.

Daniel Ponce de Leon made his first start since the Cardinals announced he was joining the rotation and gave up four runs, eight hits and two walks in 3 2/3 innings.

Pirates starter Chris Archer allowed three runs and five hits in six innings. Archer had a pair of hits, including an RBI single in a three-run fourth, after starting the season 1 for 25 at the plate. Reynolds chased de Leon with a two-run single.

Marte homered in the first, his fourth home run on a six-game trip.

MILESTONE HIT

Cardinals C Andrew Knizner got his first major league hit with a double in the second inning that set up José Martínez’s sacrifice fly.

TRAINING ROOM

Pirates: OF Gregory Polanco stopped his rehab at Triple-A Indianapolis due to left shoulder soreness and will be re-evaluated in Pittsburgh. … INF Erik González (broken left clavicle) was to resume a rehab assignment at Indianapolis on Wednesday night. …. RHP Chad Kuhl and RHP Edgar Santana threw off of a slope for the first time since Tommy John surgery.

Cardinals: INF Jedd Gyorko (right wrist surgery) hit off of a tee for the first time since getting hurt. “I don’t want to get too excited about anything yet because there’s still a lot of steps to go,” Gyorko said. “But we’re definitely I think on the mend. Everything is feeling better than what it used to so we’re headed in the right direction.”

UP NEXT

Pirates: RHP Jordan Lyles (5-6, 5.16 ERA) starts a homestand opener Friday night against Philadelphia. Lyles gave seven runs in two-thirds of an inning in a loss to the Chicago Cubs on Saturday.

Cardinals: RHP Dakota Hudson is to start Thursday night at Cincinnati and RHP Tanner Roark (5-6, 3.99 ERA). Hudson is 1-0 with a 2.57 ERA in three career appearances against the Reds.