ST. LOUIS (AP) — Michael Chavis hit a go-ahead grand slam as Pittsburgh overcame a three-run, third-inning deficit, and the Pirates beat the St. Louis Cardinals 9-4 on Sunday for their first win this season.
Chavis made his first start of the season and homered off left-hander Steven Matz (0-1), who allowed seven runs and nine hits over three innings in his first start since signing a $44 million, four-year contract.
It was the second slam of Chavis’ big league career. He finished a triple shy of the cycle.
Diego Castillo added three hits for the Pirates, a day after the 24-year-old got his first hit in his second big league game.
Nolan Arenado hit a two-run homer in the first for St. Louis.
Pittsburgh RHP Zach Thompson (3-7, 3.24 last season) will face RHP Dakota Hudson (1-0, 2.08 ERA) in the final game of the four-game series on Monday afternoon, 12:20 with the pregame and the first pitch at 1:15 on KIRX.