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NLDS Game 5, Pirates vs. Cardinals game score: St. Louis still on top, 2-0

After surrendering a home run to David Freese, Gerrit Cole was rescued by good defense then betrayed by bad defense then rescued again. Basically, it’s still a two-run game.

The St. Louis Cardinals still own a 2-0 lead over the Pittsburgh Pirates heading into the fifth inning in Game 5 of the National League Division Series on Wednesday.

Pirates starter Gerrit Cole has settled down after allowing a two-run homer to Cardinals third baseman David Freese in the second. Cole worked around singles from Matt Adams and Yadier Molina, assisted by a key strikeout of Freese and a solid play by Neil Walker, in a scoreless fourth an inning after a diving grab by left fielder Starling Marte helped keep St. Louis off the board in the third.

Cole has surrendered three hits and a walk while notching three punch-outs.

The Cardinals showed off some stellar defense of their own in the top of the fourth inning, when shortstop Pete Kozma laid out to grab a flare off the bat of Neil Walker and ranged deep into the hole to throw out Justin Morneau.

Kozma_medium

Cardinals starter Adam Wainwright has allowed one hit in four scoreless innings while walking a batter and striking out three.

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