PITTSBURGH — — Richie Palacios had a career-best three hits and drove in two runs, and the St. Louis Cardinals beat the Pittsburgh Pirates 6-4 on Wednesday to avoid a three-game sweep.
Palacios capped a three-run first inning with a two-run double, singled in his next two at-bats and walked in the ninth. The 26-year-old had his first three-hit performance in 61 major league games.
Zack Thompson (3-5) gave up two runs on six hits with five strikeouts in five innings. His outing was ended by a 92-minute rain delay with two outs in the top of the sixth.
JoJo Romero struck out three in the final two innings for his third save.
RHP Miles Mikolas (6-9, 4.55 ERA) is in line to start Friday’s opener of a three-game series at Philadelphia.