Alec Burleson’s two-run, go-ahead double in the bottom of the sixth backed up a strong start from Matthew Liberatore as the host St. Louis Cardinals rallied to beat the Pittsburgh Pirates 2-1 on Tuesday night.

The Cardinals have won a season-high four in a row and dealt the Pirates their season-high sixth consecutive defeat. Pittsburgh also has lost nine of its past 10 games.

Liberatore (3-3) pitched a season-best seven innings and allowed one run on three hits and three walks while striking out eight on 99 pitches. After Steven Matz pitched a scoreless eighth, Gordon Graceffo pitched a scoreless ninth to secure his first career save.

Liberatore outdueled Pirates ace Paul Skenes (3-4), who pitched six innings and gave up two runs on three hits and four walks while striking out six.

Skenes fell to 0-4 for his career against the Cardinals and walked four batters for the second time in as many starts. Skenes’ four losses are more than he had last season when he was named National League Rookie of the Year.

Burleson’s eventual game-winner capped a two-out rally in the bottom of the sixth as he looped a ball that landed just inside the left-field line to score Nolan Arenado and Willson Contreras. Burleson poked a 98-mph Skenes fastball to deliver the winning runs.

Liberatore and Skenes matched zeroes for five innings before Pittsburgh broke through in the top of the sixth. Ke’Bryan Hayes, who led Pittsburgh with two hits, broke the stalemate with an RBI double that scored Oneil Cruz after he walked and stole second. Cruz’s steal, his 15th of the season, was reviewed and upheld after a disputed call.

Liberatore limited the damage when he induced an inning-ending ground out by Alexander Canario.

Arenado started the Cards’ sixth-inning comeback with a single just before Skenes walked Contreras, which put runners on first and second.

–Field Level Media