Cards Fall Prey to Pirates and Triple Play

PITTSBURGH (AP) - Jordy Mercer broke out of a deep slump with a go-ahead two-run double and the Pittsburgh Pirates rallied to beat the St. Louis Cardinals 7-5 Saturday night. Neil Walker added his second homer and the Pirates ended a seven-game losing streak to the Cardinals. Carlos Martinez picked up his first loss of the season.

The Pittsburgh Pirates also turned a triple play in the second inning on Saturday night against baseball's top team.

The St. Louis Cardinals had runners on second and third when Yadier Molina lined out to Pittsburgh second baseman Neil Walker. Walker fired to third baseman Jung Ho Kung to double off Jhonny Peralta for the second out. Kung threw back to Walker standing on second for the final out after St. Louis' Jason Heyward froze between second and third.

It was the second triple play turned by the Pirates in two seasons. They went around the horn for a triple play against the Chicago Cubs on Sept. 14, 2014.

It was the first triple play the Cardinals have hit into since Atlanta shortstop Rafael Furcal made an unassisted triple play on Aug. 10, 2003.

(Cards and Pirates play the rubber game of the 3 game series Sunday.  KHMO will join the pregame show  in progress at 12 noon.)