Erik Gonzalez and Adam Frazier singled in runs, rookie Cody Ponce earned his first big league victory and the Pittsburgh Pirates beat the St. Louis Cardinals 2-0 Thursday night for a doubleheader sweep.
Cole Tucker drove in the go-ahead run in extra innings in the Pirates’ 4-3 win in the opener in eight innings.
Ponce (1-1) was used as a reliever in his first two appearances this season and made his first major league start. He went 5 2/3 innings, holding the Cardinals scoreless and scattering five hits.
St. Louis rookie Johan Ovideo (0-1) took the loss. He pitched five innings, allowing four hits and two runs.
Pittsburgh scored both runs in the third. Gonzalez and Frazier hit back-to-back RBI singles.
RHP Daniel Ponce de Leon (0-2, 5.25) will start against the visiting Indians, 7:15 Friday at Busch Stadium.