Pittsburgh Pirates vs. St. Louis Cardinals Match Player Stats, Results, and Recap – July 4, 2024 Gametracker

The Pittsburgh Pirates vs. St. Louis Cardinals Match Player Stats, Results, and Recap July 4, 2024, Gametracker refers to a comprehensive summary of a baseball game played between these two teams on Independence Day, 2024. 

It includes detailed player statistics, game highlights, final score, and a play-by-play recap of the match’s key moments. This game tracker serves as a record and analysis tool for fans, coaches, and sports analysts.

Fireworks weren’t just in the sky on July 4th, 2024. The Pittsburgh Pirates and St. Louis Cardinals delivered an explosive game that kept fans on the edge of their seats until the very last pitch. Who emerged victorious in this Independence Day showdown?

Pre-Game Anticipation and Lineups

The Fourth of July brought exciting baseball to St. Louis. Fans filled Busch Stadium for a holiday game. The Pittsburgh Pirates faced the St. Louis Cardinals in a key matchup. The air was filled with excitement. Red, white, and blue decorations covered the stadium. Families and friends gathered to enjoy America’s pastime.

The weather was perfect for baseball. A gentle breeze kept fans comfortable. The smell of hot dogs and popcorn filled the air. Children wore baseball caps and waved small American flags. The atmosphere was festive and patriotic.

Both teams warmed up on the field. Players stretched and played catch. Pitchers threw in the bullpen. Coaches gave last-minute instructions. The grounds crew made final touches to the field. Everything was set for a great game.

Pittsburgh Pirates Lineup:

• SS Oneil Cruz
• CF Bryan Reynolds
• DH Andrew McCutchen
• 1B Carlos Santana
• LF Jack Suwinski
• 3B Ke’Bryan Hayes
• RF Connor Joe
• C Austin Hedges
• 2B Rodolfo Castro
• Starting Pitcher: Mitch Keller

The Pirates lineup looked strong. Oneil Cruz, their young shortstop, led off. Bryan Reynolds, their best hitter, batted second. Andrew McCutchen, a fan favorite, was the designated hitter. Carlos Santana provided power at first base. Jack Suwinski and Ke’Bryan Hayes added youth and energy. Connor Joe and Austin Hedges rounded out the order. Rodolfo Castro played second base. Mitch Keller, their ace, took the mound.

St. Louis Cardinals Lineup:

• RF Lars Nootbaar
• 1B Paul Goldschmidt
• 3B Nolan Arenado
• LF Tyler O’Neill
• DH Willson Contreras
• 2B Nolan Gorman
• CF Dylan Carlson
• C Andrew Knizner
• SS Tommy Edman
• Starting Pitcher: Jack Flaherty

The Cardinals countered with a powerful lineup. Lars Nootbaar led off in right field. Paul Goldschmidt, their star first baseman, batted second. Nolan Arenado, a Gold Glove winner, played third. Tyler O’Neill provided power in left field. Willson Contreras was the designated hitter. Nolan Gorman played second base Dylan Carlson patrolled center field. Andrew Knizner caught, and Tommy Edman played shortstop. Jack Flaherty, their top pitcher, started the game.

The crowd cheered as players took the field. Both teams hoped to gain ground in the NL Central. The stage was set for an exciting rivalry game. Fans settled into their seats. The umpires took their positions. The national anthem played. Then, it was time to play ball.

First Half: Pitching Duel and Early Runs

The game began as a pitchers’ duel. Mitch Keller and Jack Flaherty both looked sharp. They mixed their pitches well. Batters struggled to make solid contact. The first two innings flew by. Neither team could score.

Keller’s fastball reached 88.4 MPH. His curveball fooled hitters. Flaherty’s slider was his best pitch. He also threw a good changeup. Both pitchers worked quickly. They showed great command. Fans enjoyed the fast pace of the game.

Fielders made routine plays look easy. The infields were busy. There were several ground ball outs. Outfielders needed more to do early on. The catchers called good games. They helped their pitchers stay in rhythm.

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Pirates Strike First

In the third inning, the Pirates broke through. Bryan Reynolds walked with two outs. He showed great patience at the plate. Andrew McCutchen came to bat. The former MVP looked determined. He waited for his pitch.

McCutchen got a fastball over the plate. He swung hard. The ball flew off his bat. It sailed into the left-center field gap. Reynolds took off running. He rounded second base at full speed. The outfielders chased the ball. Reynolds never slowed down. He slid into home plate safely. McCutchen stood on second with a double. The Pirates took a 1-0 lead.

The Pirates dugout erupted in cheers. Players high-fived McCutchen. Reynolds caught his breath after his long run. Flaherty looked frustrated. He had been so close to a scoreless inning. The Cardinals catcher went to the mound. He tried to calm his pitcher down.

Cardinals Respond

The Cardinals didn’t stay quiet for long. In the fourth inning, they answered back. Nolan Arenado hit a single to start things off. It was a hard grounder past the shortstop. Tyler O’Neill stepped up to the plate. He dug in and waited for his pitch.

Keller threw a fastball. It caught too much of the plate. O’Neill swung with all his might. The crack of the bat echoed through the stadium. The ball soared high and deep to left field. Everyone watched as it sailed toward the wall. It kept going and going. Finally, it cleared the fence. A two-run homer!

Fireworks exploded above the stadium. O’Neill rounded the bases with a big smile. Arenado waited to congratulate him at home plate. The Cardinals now led 2-1. The home crowd went wild. They waved their rally towels and cheered loudly.

Keller tried to regroup. He took a deep breath on the mound. The Pirates catcher went out to talk to him. They discussed how to approach the next batter. Keller nodded and got ready to pitch again. The game was far from over.

Mid-Game: Defensive Mastery and Tactical Plays

The middle innings showcased great defense. Both teams made spectacular plays. Fans were treated to a display of baseball at its finest. Every out was hard-earned. Hits were few and far between.

Oneil Cruz made a diving stop at shortstop. A hard grounder seemed destined for left field. Cruz laid out full stretch. He snagged the ball in his glove. Then he jumped to his feet. His throw to first base was perfect. Paul Goldschmidt was robbed of a hit. The crowd gasped in amazement.

Dylan Carlson provided his highlight in center field. Jack Suwinski hit a deep drive. It looked like extra bases off the bat. Carlson turned and ran. He tracked the ball over his shoulder. At the last second, he leaped at the wall. His glove stretched above the fence. He made the catch! Suwinski could only shake his head in disbelief.

These plays kept the score close. Neither team could pull away. The pitchers continued to battle. Every at-bat was intense. Managers watched closely from the dugouts. They looked for any advantage they could find.

Pirates Level the Score

In the seventh inning, the Pirates tied the game. Ke’Bryan Hayes started the rally. He hit a double down the left-field line. The ball bounced just fair. It rolled to the corner. Hayes hustled into second base. He clapped his hands in excitement.

Connor Joe came to bat. The Pirates needed to move Hayes to third base. Joe squared to bunt. He laid it down perfectly. The ball rolled slowly along the third baseline. Hayes advanced to third. Joe was out at first. It was a textbook sacrifice bunt.

Now Austin Hedges stepped up. The Pirates had a chance to tie the game. They called for a squeeze play. It’s a risky but exciting strategy. Hedges had to bunt while Hayes ran from third. The timing had to be perfect.

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Hedges waited for the right pitch. Hayes took his lead. The pitch came in. Hedges bunted it toward first base. Hayes sprinted home. The Cardinals tried to field the ball. But Hayes was too fast. He slid across the plate safely. The game was now tied 2-2.

The Pirates celebrated in their dugout. It was a perfectly executed play. The Cardinals looked frustrated. They had lost their lead. Both teams knew the game could go either way now.

Pitching Changes and Bullpen Performance

As the game progressed, both managers turned to their bullpens. Fresh arms came into the pitch. The starters had done their job. Now it was up to the relievers to finish the game.

The Pirates brought in David Bednar for the eighth inning. He was their best reliever. Bednar threw hard. His fastball reached 99 mph. He also had a sharp breaking ball. The Cardinals couldn’t score against him.

In the ninth inning, the Cardinals used Ryan Helsley. He was equally impressive. Helsley’s cutter was his best pitch. The Pirates couldn’t figure him out. Both relievers kept the game tied. They gave their teams a chance to win.

Managers had to think carefully. They needed to use the right pitchers at the right time. Every decision was crucial. The game could be won or lost based on these choices. Fans watched nervously. They knew the end of the game would be exciting.

Late Game Drama: Clutch Hits and Walk-Off Excitement

Pirates Take the Lead

The ninth inning brought more drama. The Pirates rallied against Cardinals closer Giovanny Gallegos. With two outs, they had runners on first and second. The tension in the stadium was high. Everyone knew this could be the game-winning moment.

Bryan Reynolds stepped up to bat. He had been quiet since his early walk. But Reynolds was known for clutch hits. He waited patiently at the plate. Gallegos threw a slider. Reynolds swung. He hit a sharp single to right field.

Rodolfo Castro was on second base. He took off as soon as the ball was hit. The right fielder charged in. He fielded the ball quickly. Castro rounded third base. The throw came home. It was going to be close!

Castro slid. The catcher caught the ball. He reached to make the tag. Castro’s hand touched the plate just in time. Safe! The Pirates now led 3-2. Their dugout erupted in cheers. Reynolds pumped his fist at first base. The Pirates were three outs away from a big win.

Cardinals’ Walk-Off Victory

The Cardinals had one last chance. In the bottom of the ninth, they faced Pirates closer David Bednar. The home fans cheered loudly. They hoped for a comeback. Bednar looked determined on the mound.

Lars Nootbaar led off. He worked the count full. On the 3-2 pitch, he took ball four. It was a crucial walk. The winning run was now at the plate. The stadium was on its feet. Everyone held their breath.

Paul Goldschmidt came to bat. He was the Cardinals’ best hitter. Goldschmidt had been quiet all game. But he lived for moments like this. Bednar threw his best fastball. Goldschmidt watched it go by. Strike one.

The next pitch was a curveball. Goldschmidt fouled it off. The count was 0-2. Bednar was one strike away from a save. He tried to throw a high fastball. But the pitch caught too much of the plate.

Goldschmidt swung with all his might. The crack of the bat was loud. The ball soared high and deep to left-center field. Everyone watched as it flew through the night sky. It kept carrying. The Pirates outfielders could only turn and watch.

Finally, the ball cleared the wall. A walk-off home run! The Cardinals won 4-3. The stadium erupted in cheers. Fireworks exploded overhead. Goldschmidt’s teammates mobbed him at home plate. It was a July 4th celebration like no other.

Post-Game Analysis and Player Stats

The July 4th game lived up to expectations. It had twists and turns throughout. Goldschmidt’s walk-off homer will be remembered for a long time. Both teams showed great skill and determination. It was a classic baseball game.

Pittsburgh Pirates Stats:

• Bryan Reynolds: 2-for-3, 1 RBI, 1 R, 1 BB
• Andrew McCutchen: 1-for-4, 1 2B, 1 RBI
• Ke’Bryan Hayes: 2-for-4, 1 2B, 1 R
• Mitch Keller: 6 IP, 5 H, 2 ER, 2 BB, 7 K
• David Bednar: 1 IP, 2 H, 2 ER, 1 BB, 1 K, 1 BS

Reynolds had a great game at the plate. McCutchen’s double was crucial. Hayes played well on both offense and defense. Keller pitched six strong innings. Bednar had a tough night, giving up the winning homer.

St. Louis Cardinals Stats:

• Paul Goldschmidt: 2-for-4, 1 HR, 2 RBI, 1 R
• Tyler O’Neill: 1-for-3, 1 HR, 2 RBI, 1 R
• Nolan Arenado: 2-for-4, 1 R
• Jack Flaherty: 7 IP, 4 H, 2 ER, 1 BB, 8 K
• Giovanny Gallegos: 1 IP, 2 H, 1 ER, 1 BB, 1 K, 1 W

Goldschmidt was the hero with his walk-off homer. O’Neill’s early home run was important. Arenado had two hits and scored a run. Flaherty pitched seven strong innings. Gallegos got the win despite giving up a run.

The Cardinals improved to 48-38 with the win. The Pirates fell to 42-44. Both teams showed why they’re contenders in the NL Central. They displayed strong pitching, timely hitting, and excellent defense. The rivalry between these teams remains strong.

FAQ’s

Who was the winning pitcher for the Cardinals?

Giovanny Gallegos got the win. He pitched the top of the ninth inning.

How many home runs were hit in the game?

Three home runs were hit. O’Neill and Goldschmidt homered for the Cardinals. The Pirates had no home runs.

What was the attendance for this July 4th game?

The official attendance was 45,169. It was a sellout crowd at Busch Stadium.

How long did the game last?

The game lasted 3 hours and 12 minutes.

Who leads the season series between the Pirates and Cardinals?

With this win, the Cardinals now lead the season series 5-4 against the Pirates.

Conclusion

The July 4th game between the Pirates and Cardinals was thrilling. It had everything fans could want. There was great pitching, clutch hitting, and amazing defense. Paul Goldschmidt’s walk-off homer was the perfect ending.

Both teams showed why they’re tough opponents. The Pirates played hard and almost won on the road. The Cardinals proved they can come back when it matters most. As the season goes on, both teams will be exciting to watch.

This game will be remembered as a highlight of the 2024 season. It showed the best of baseball on America’s birthday. Fans left the stadium happy, having seen a true classic. The NL Central race is heating up, and games like this show why baseball is America’s pastime.

The Cardinals will look to build on this emotional win. The Pirates will try to bounce back from a tough loss. Both teams have shown they can compete at a high level. The rest of the season promises more exciting games and close finishes.

As fireworks lit up the St. Louis sky, baseball fans had much to celebrate. They had witnessed a game that embodied the spirit of the sport. It was a reminder of why baseball holds a special place in American culture. The 2024 season is shaping up to be one for the history books.