Pirates pitcher Vance Worley wasn't a factor in the decision Sunday, giving up just one earned run on four hits and one walk in six innings while striking out five in his team's 3-2 loss in 14 innings.
Worley pitched well for the third time in his last four starts, with the only damage coming on a solo home run by Cardinals third baseman Matt Carpenter in the fourth inning. That was enough to keep him from a win, as the Cardinals managed to hold the Pirates scoreless until a Jung Ho Kang ninth-inning home run tied the game.
"This was my first time [throwing to] Stewart for more than one batter, and we had a good talk before we went out to play catch," Worley said. "We had a good game plan. We knew that against this lineup, we had to mix it up and not be predictable."
Worley owns a 3.90 ERA and 23:10 K:BB ratio in 30 innings. He'll square off with the Cardinals again Saturday, this time at home.