Six St. Louis relievers combined to allow three runs in seven innings, Paul DeJong and Lars Nootbaar homered, and the Cardinals hung on to beat the Pittsburgh Pirates 7-6 on Thursday, completing a three-game sweep.
The Cardinals bullpen was pressed into duty after starter Wade LeBlanc exited with left elbow pain. He gave up three runs on three hits in two innings.
T.J. McFarland (2-0) relieved LeBlanc in the third and got credit for the win.
OF Dylan Carlson left with right wrist soreness after striking out in the fourth inning.
RHP Jack Flaherty (8-1, 2.90 ERA) will return from the 60-day injured list Friday to start the opener of a three-game series at Kansas City. Flaherty has been out since May 31 with an oblique injury. 6:15 with the pregame and the first pitch at 7:10 Friday on KIRX.
RHP Miles Mikolas’ fifth rehab outing, possibly his last before being activated, will be with High-A Peoria on Aug. 14. He has not pitched in the majors since experiencing right forearm tightness during a start on May 22.