PITTSBURGH _ The two cornerstones of the Cardinals' season have been pitching and defense. The Cardinals have boasted one of the top-five pitching staffs and rotations for much of the season despite a carousel of contributors, and their defense has ranked tops in the majors despite playing fewer games than any other team in those majors. The two legs of this three-legged stool have been able to support it even when the third leg, offense, comes up short.
The Cardinals needed the lineup to carry them for at least a game.
The Cardinals committed four errors, including a catcher's interference with the bases loaded, and hung on for a 6-5 victory in Game 1 of a doubleheader. The Pirates loaded the bases in the bottom of the seventh with two outs, but a fly ball to left field ended the game.
