NLDS 2013, Cardinals vs. Pirates score: Pittsburgh jumps out to early 2-0 lead

Francisco Liriano looked overpowering against the first six hitters he faced, while Marlon Byrd connected on a two-out, RBI single.

by Connor Moylan

Oct 6, 2013, 9:19 PM UTC

Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

Part Of

NLDS 2013: Cardinals beat Pirates in 5 games, advance to NLCS

see all updates

The Pittsburgh Pirates mounted a two-out rally in the bottom of the first, and hold a 2-0 lead over the St. Louis Cardinals after two innings.

Francisco Liriano picked up where he left off during the NL Wild Card game, striking out leadoff hitter Matt Carpenter with a devastating slider. The southpaw followed with two groundouts to wrap up a clean frame.

Pittsburgh jumped over Joe Kelly in the top of the first. Kelly retired the first two hitters of the game, but surrendered a two-out walk to Andrew McCutchen. Justin Morneau then hit a groundball that ricocheted off Kelly towards Cardinals shortstop Pete Kozma. Kozma hurried his throw and tossed it away from Matt Adams, allowing McCutchen to advance to third and Morneau to second.

Marlon Byrd followed with a RBI-single, lacing a groundball past David Freese to drive in both runners. Kelly ended the inning with an Alvarez strikeout, but the Pirates gained an early 2-0 lead.

The crowd at PNC Park really started to get into the game after the Byrd single:

Marlon Byrd with a two-run single to left. This place is going absolutely nuts. Again.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) October 6, 2013

Liriano tossed a second straight perfect inning, earning his second strikeout of the game against Freese. Kelly issued a two-out walk to Liriano, but otherwise worked a clean bottom half of the second.