Horwitz

PITTSBURGH — Catcher Henry Davis drove in the game’s only run with a sacrifice fly in the eighth inning and preserved the lead with a tag at the plate in the ninth, giving Pittsburgh a 1-0 win over St. Louis Cardinals 1-0 on Tuesday night as Pirates ace Paul Skenes’ winless streak reached six starts.

Pittsburgh’s Ke’Bryan Hayes led off the bottom of the eighth with a single off Phil Maton (1-3). Pinch-hitter Adam Frazier doubled to right and Hayes scored on Davis’ fly ball to center.

St. Louis had runners on second and third with one out in the ninth when Victor Scott hit a slow chopper that first baseman Spencer Horwitz fielded and threw to Davis, who tagged Jose Fermin at the plate.

Skenes pitched five scoreless innings and allowed five hits and one walk and struck out five while throwing 88 pitches. Skenes, who is 4-7 with a 2.03 ERA, has not won since May 28 at Arizona and is winless in six starts against the Cardinals.

The loss spoiled a strong outing by Cardinals starter Andre Pallante, who pitched seven innings of one-hit ball. He struck out three and walked two, and his only hit allowed was a single by Andrew McCutchen in the fourth.

Issac Mattson (2-0) pitched one inning for the win, and David Bednar picked up his 12th save in as many chances this season as Pittsburgh won its fifth straight.

Cardinals first baseman Willson Contreras sustained a left-hand contusion in the fourth inning on a tag play at home plate and left the game. Third baseman Nolan Arenado missed the game because of a jammed right index finger.

Key moments

Jose Fermin being tagged out at home on Scott’s chopper to Horwitz and Bednar striking out Brendan Donovan to end the game.

Key stat

The Pirates had scored 37 runs in their previous four games.

New addition

The Pirates acquired minor league outfielder Titus Dumitru and cash considerations from the Atlanta Braves in exchange for right-handed pitcher Hunter Stratton.

The 22-year-old Dumitru batted .231 (58-for-251) with 27 runs, nine doubles, two triples, three home runs, 36 RBI, 26 walks, 13 stolen bases and 27 runs scored over 64 games with High-A Rome this season.

Dumitru, who was selected by Atlanta in the 16th round of the 2024 First-Year Player Draft out of New Mexico State University, made his professional debut last season with Low-A Augusta, hitting .217 (20-for-92) with six doubles, a triple, a home run, 11 RBI, 13 walks, four stolen bases and 15 runs scored in 27 games.

Additionally, right-handed pitcher Colin Holderman had his rehab assignment transferred from Low-A Bradenton to Triple-A Indianapolis.

Up next

Cardinals RHP Sonny Gray (8-2, 3.36 ERA) faces Mitch Keller (2-10, 3.90) on Wednesday as the Pirates go for the series sweep.

On deck

Today: St. Louis at Pittsburgh, 12:35 p.m.

Pitchers: Cards RHP Sonny Gray (8-2) vs. Pirates RHP Mitch Keller (2-12)

TV: SportsNet Pittsburgh