Miles Mikolas needed one more strike to complete the first Cardinals no-hitter in 21 years, until Cal Mitchell doubled with two outs in the ninth inning Tuesday night. The Cardinals still beat the Pirates 9-1 in game two of Tuesday’s double header, but Mikolas was understandably disappointed.
Paul Goldschmidt was 4 for 4 with two homers and five RBI for the Cardinals, who have won five of six. Tommy Edman also went deep and Brendan Donovan had his first career four-hit game.
Yadier Molina had 11 putouts on 10 strikeouts and a foul popup, and with 14,870 passed Iván Rodríguez (14,864) for most among catchers in major league history.
LHP Steven Matz (left shoulder impingement) received an injection in his AC joint after playing catch and plans to throw again on flat ground Wednesday.
Cardinals RHP Jack Flaherty (right shoulder) will make his season debut in Wednesday night’s series finale rather than make a third minor league rehabilitation start, 5:50 with the pregame and the first pitch at 6:45 on KIRX.
The Cardinals have jumped up to a 2 1/2 game lead over the Brewers in the NL Central.