Cardinals Blank Pirates 7-0

July 16, 2019 3:45 am

ST. LOUIS (AP) – Miles Mikolas pitched an eight-hitter and Tyler O’Neill hit a pair of two-run homers, leading the St. Louis Cardinals to a 7-0 win over the Pittsburgh Pirates on Monday night.  It was the first complete game this season and second overall for Mikolas (6-9), who lasted just four innings in his last start before the All-Star game. He struck out three and walked none while throwing 100 pitches.  It was first complete game by a Cardinals pitcher this season. Mikolas had the only one last year on May 21 against Kansas City.  Mikolas pitched out of three jams. In the fifth with two outs, he gave up singles by Corey Dickerson and Kevin Newman. A balk put runners on second and third. Mikolas got Jacob Stallings to ground out, ending the inning. In the sixth, he allowed one-out singles to Adam Frazier and Brian Reynolds, his third hit. Starling Marte grounded into an inning-ending double play. He also hit into a double play in the first inning. In the seventh, Colin Moran doubled with one out and was stranded at third.  St. Louis has won three games in a row.   O’Neill had his first career multi-homer game, and drove in four runs for the second time in the last three games. He also singled to finish with three hits.  The Pirates have lost four consecutive games.