Pirates vs Cardinals score: Pedro Alvarez HR gives Pittsburgh 3-0 lead through 4

The Pittsburgh Pirates increased their lead over the St. Louis Cardinals, and head into the top of the fifth with a 3-0 advantage.

Lance Lynn surrendered two more runs in the top of the third. Justin Morneau looped a one-out single, then Pedro Alvarez crushed a two-run homer to dead center. Alvarez jumped all over a 1-0 fastball from the Cardinals starter that caught too much of the plate:

Gerrit Cole thanked his offense for their run support with a perfect bottom of third. The right-hander looked especially dominant against Lynn and Matt Carpenter, striking out each batter on three pitches apiece.

Lynn kept the Pirates off the basepaths for the first time in the top half of the fourth. He received some help from Matt Adams at first base, who made a nice snag on a Neil Walker one-hopper:

Cole continued to roll in the bottom of the fourth, tossing his third straight perfect frame. More impressively, it came against the Cardinals 2-3-4 hitters, including a Matt Holliday strikeout.

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