botching a potential rundown at third base

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PITTSBURGH -- Pedro Alvarez mashed two home runs that travelled an estimated 831 feet Friday night. Aaron Hicks Jersey . It was a series of sprints by the burly Pittsburgh Pirates third baseman, however, that ignited a 12-2 win over the St. Louis Cardinals. Alvarez broke open a close game in the sixth by beating out a potential double play, followed it up with the fifth stolen base of his career then scored with a deft slide around St. Louis catcher Yadier Molinas tag that gave the Pirates the momentum they needed to pull away. "I thought the stolen base was key," manager Clint Hurdle said. "He puts a lot of focus on running the bases and hes arguably one of our best baserunners when hes on." It certainly looked like it, as Alvarezs outstretched left arm slid across the plate a split second before one of the games best defensive catchers could nab him. The Cardinals imploded from there as Shelby Miller (0-1) continued to struggle against Pittsburgh. Miller fell to 0-5 with a 5.92 ERA against the Pirates in his brief career after tying a career-high by allowing five runs in 5 1-3 innings. The right-hander is 16-5 with a 2.34 ERA in his 33 other major league appearances. "Its not the park. Its not the team. I just pitched poorly today," Miller said. "I guess it just lines up that way where I dont pitch well when I face them." Travis Ishikawa added his first major league home run in nearly two years for Pittsburgh. Gerrit Cole (1-0) gave up two runs in seven innings in his first start since losing the deciding Game 5 of the NL division series to St. Louis last October. Six months removed from a taut NLDS that pushed the eventual NL champions to the brink of elimination, the Pirates sent an early message they have no plans of going away. Cole is considered the ace in waiting after a stellar rookie season in which he was arguably Pittsburghs best pitcher over the final six weeks. Eager to take the next step in his development, the 23-year-old kept the Cardinals in check by mixing a fastball that consistently reaches the upper 90s with improved offspeed stuff. He also showcased some of his maturity, working out of a bases loaded situation in the fourth by getting Jhonny Peralta to fly out. His only mistake came in the fifth when Carpenter drilled a shot into the right field stands to pull the Cardinals to 3-2. Otherwise he teamed with catcher Russell Martin to keep St. Louis in check. "I think it was just a really well-played ballgame on our part," Cole said. "I cant say enough about what Russ did behind the plate. Not sure there are any other catchers in the entire world that could handle what I threw at him tonight." Pittsburghs offence -- which mustered all of 20 hits in 35 innings of a season-opening series against the Chicago Cubs -- made sure it didnt stay close for long after pounding out 16 hits in eight innings against the NL Central favourites. Alvarez began the year in a 1 for 15 slump but ended that with a home run to the gap in left-centre for his first home run of the season. He added his second two innings later with a long drive to right-centre that travelled an estimated 448 feet. His hustle down the first-base line in the sixth allowed Pittsburghs rally to continue and the Pirates pressed the advantage. Molina committed a rare error after Alvarezs slide, botching a potential rundown at third base when his throw hit Martin in the back and rolled into the stands. The miscue gave the Pirates a 5-2 lead and Pittsburgh poured it on in the late innings. NOTES: Ishikawas solo home run in the fourth was his first since May 15, 2012 while playing for the New York Yankees. ... The start of the game was delayed 1:05 by rain, the third straight game a Cardinals game was delayed by weather. ... Injured Cardinals 2B Mark Ellis is starting baseball activities but it remains uncertain when hell be ready to return from left knee tendinitis. Ellis went on the 15-day DL on March 27 and is eligible to return on April 11. ... The series continues on Saturday. RHP Joe Kelly will make his season debut for the Cardinals against Pittsburghs Francisco Liriano (0-0, 0.00). Elston Howard Yankees Jersey . Andrew Luck couldnt believe his ears. Colts fans couldnt believe the scoreboard, and the Kansas City Chiefs couldnt believe their incredibly bad luck. Jacoby Ellsbury Jersey .com) - Manu Ginobili capped off a 26-point night with a go-ahead layup with 24 seconds left in overtime, with the basket giving the San Antonio Spurs a much-needed 95-93 victory over the New Orleans Pelicans. https://www.cheapyankees.com/1681g-brett-gardner-jersey-yankees.html .com) - World No. 1 Rafael Nadal, Wimbledon champion Andy Murray and four-time Australian Open titlist Roger Federer were among Mondays fourth-round winners at Melbourne Park.6:16: To be fair, it would probably fit. Somebody get him Governor Chris Christies Nets jersey. RT @DarynJones: NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!! pic.twitter.com/8blcF5fzTa — Cabbie Richards (@Cabbie) April 22, 20146:28 DeMar DeRozan seems pretty excited that the Toronto mayor is in the building. "I hope Rob Fords got my jersey on." - DeMar DeRozan — James Herbert (@outsidethenba) April 22, 20146:32: Amir Johnson seems more focused on fashion, than a Rob Ford appearance. Amir Johnson, appraised of Rob Fords imminence: You say Tom Ford or Rob Ford? — cathalkelly (@cathalkelly) April 22, 20146:33: #SELFIE So this just just happened with @iamdanielguerra #welp #rtz pic.twitter.com/Iz770wcRvX — Natasha (@Nat77) April 22, 20146:42: Another one? Sure, why not? Whats a trip to a Toronto sports game with out a picture with Rob Ford #LetsGoRaptors pic.twitter.com/qHZ1SDgvTG — pedromfarid (@pedromfarid) April 22, 20146:47: Update: OK good, Amir is cool with the Ford appearance. Amir Johnson is enjoying the celebrity quotient increasing at Raptors games. Cool with Rob Ford attending, intrigued by Jimmy Goldstein. — Ryan Wolstat (@WolstatSun) April 22, 20147:17: Just over ten minutes until tipoff, how abouut more #SELFIES Rob Ford posing with everyone! pic. Gary Sanchez Yankees Jersey. witter.com/RgDCwdtNk7 — Kevin Bryant (@KevinRashidi) April 22, 20147:27: Folks, he has taken a seat (in Section 318) Rob Ford in my section pic.twitter.com/AxTxroUvPP — AK (@AK47_Studios) April 22, 20147:32: Random jab by "3X NBA Champion/Producer/Actor/Dancer" Rick Fox. Anyone know if #RobFord is on the mic for Game2 pep rally? J/K #MasiUjiri love your passion for your team — Rick Fox (@Rickafox) April 22, 20147:36: Youre not wrong, Bruce. Rob Ford is high ... up in the arena. — Bruce Arthur (@bruce_arthur) April 22, 20148:11 BONUS! Drake lint rolls his pants. (h/t to @BenGolliver)8:13: Ford focus. Rob Ford gets a TSN shout-out! pic.twitter.com/Eiqqp3BGLq — Liam McGuire (@LiamRMcGuire) April 23, 20148:27: Wheres Fordo? Pretty sure the red dot at the centre of this photo is Mayor Ford. Up in the rafters tonight. #RapsOn1050 pic.twitter.com/KOGs14IOn0 — David William Naylor (@TSNDaveNaylor) April 23, 20148:47: His #SELFIE is in high demand Hafltime entertainment Nets-Raptors: Quick Change and fans taking photos and shaking hands with Toronto mayor Rob Ford. — Jeff Zillgitt (@JeffZillgitt) April 23, 2014 ' ' '