Pirates Take 2-1 Series Lead With Late Rally Over Cardinals

The Pittsburgh Pirates used back-to-back RBI singles by Pedro Alvarez and Russell Martin in the eighth inning to snap a tie and beat the St. Louis Cardinals 5-3 on Sunday in Game 3 of the National League Division Series at PNC Park

Josh Harrison scored on Alvarez’s tiebreaking single that staked Pittsburgh to a 2-1 lead in the best-of-five NL division series. Martin followed with a sharp RBI single against reliever Kevin Siegrist, who took over after Carlos Martinez (0-1) faltered.

Carlos Beltran finished 2 for 3 with three RBIs for St Louis . His 16th playoff home run moved him past Babe Ruth for eighth place in postseason history.

“It’s a must-win tomorrow for us,” Beltran said. “Hopefully we can come here tomorrow, take care of business, win and go play the last game at home.”

Andrew McCutchen was 2-for-2 with two walks as he continues to shine in October. He is batting .538 (7-for-13) and has also walked five times for a .684 on-base percentage. Marlon Byrd also had two hits for the Pirates, including a two-run single in the first that opened the scoring.

Charlie Morton is set to start for Pittsburgh in Game 4 on Monday against rookie Michael Wacha.