Cardinals Complete Sweep of Pirates, Improve to 19-19

Sonny Gray pitched seven shutout innings, allowing only two hits and striking out eight, as the St. Louis Cardinals defeated the struggling Pittsburgh Pirates 5-0 to complete a three-game series sweep. The Cardinals, now back to a .500 record, were boosted by Victor Scott II's impressive baserunning, scoring twice from first base, and Masyn Winn's two RBI doubles. Lars Nootbaar contributed three hits, breaking out of a slump against the Pirates, while Nolan Arenado was scratched from the lineup due to back spasms. The Pirates, who have now lost seven straight and 10 of their last 11 games, managed just four hits and were shut out for the eighth time this season. Mitch Keller took the loss despite a quality start, allowing three runs over six-plus innings. St. Louis will begin a nine-game road trip at Washington, while Pittsburgh heads home to face the Braves.