Pirates Hit 15, Beat NL Central Leaders Cardinals 8-2

PITTSBURGH (AP) — Oneil Cruz finished a home run short of the cycle, and the Pittsburgh Pirates beat St. Louis 8-2 on Friday night to keep the Cardinals from stretching their lead atop the NL Central.  Cruz had a two-run triple, a double and an RBI single to extend his hitting streak to six games, matching the rookie’s longest in the majors. The 23-year-old is 12 for 26 (.462) with two homers, two triples and two doubles during the streak.  “It feels great,” Cruz said. “That’s what we’re working for. That’s what I’m working for, diligently, every day, whether it’s early hitting or just coming to the field and getting work done.”  St. Louis has lost three of five while playing the Pirates and Washington Nationals but maintained a sizable lead over the second-place Milwaukee in the NL Central.  The Pirates and Cardinals play again this evening, with pregame starting at 7:10 p.m. on WJPA 1450 AM.