PITTSBURGH — Pirates starter Kevin Correia put forth another solid effort today, pitching seven scoreless innings at St. Louis in a 3-1 win.

Correia allowed just five hits, striking out three and walking two. Ryan Doumit and Lyle Overbay each doubled in runs and Neil Walker hit a solo homer to right for all the run production Correia would need. The win gives the Buccos back-to-back road series wins for the first time since 2007.

The Pirates and Cardinals were scoreless through three innings until Overbay hit an infield single and advanced to second on a throwing error by St. Louis first baseman Albert Pujols. After Pedro Alvarez popped out to short, Doumit doubled to right center field, plating Overbay for a 1-0 Pittsburgh lead.

That lead grew to 2-0 in the fifth, as Walker homered to right field, sneaking his shot just inside the foul pole.

Correia was relieved for Evan Meek, who pitched a 1-2-3 eighth inning — a huge difference from Meek’s two previous appearances, which pushed his season ERA to a whopping 21.60. Back-to-back ground rule doubles in the top of the ninth by Andrew McCutchen and Overbay gave the Pirates an insurance run, going up 3-0 headed to the final frame.

Joel Hanrahan came on in the ninth to close out the game and let things get interesting, allowing two hits and one run on a Yadier Molina double to right field that scored Lance Berkman. Hanrahan settled down, though, and got Daniel Descalso to pop to short to end the game. It is Hanrahan’s fourth save in as many appearances.

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Chris Gates | Bucs Blog
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