Former Cardinal Tommy Pham delivered the game-winning hit for the Pittsburgh Pirates, bringing home both their runs in the sixth inning as the Pirates defeated St. Louis 2-1 on Wednesday, Aug. 27 at Busch Stadium.

With the bases loaded and one out, Pham turned the first pitch in the at-bat into a grounder up the middle, allowing Jared Triolo and Spencer Horwitz to score standing. The bases were loaded again later in the inning, but starter Sonny Gray was able to strike Oneil Cruz out to contain the damage.

Starting pitching was the main highlight of the game, as Gray went seven innings in the loss, allowing just three hits and three walks while striking out seven. One of the two runs allowed was unearned, as Horwitz reached on a throwing error by Willson Contreas to load the bases. The Pirates limited the Cardinals to four hits, but allowed five walks. Bubba Chandler took the mound in the fourth to pitch four spotless innings, allowing one walk and one hit while recording three of Pittsburgh’s nine strikeouts to claim his first win of the year.

Carmen Mlodzinski started the game, striking out four Redbirds in three innings. The Cardinals’ lone run was tagged to him in the second, when Pedro Pagés singled home Masyn Winn. However, Thomas Saggese was tagged out halfway to third, ending the inning. The Cardinals would strand seven base runners while Pittsburgh left six on base; both teams each grounded into a double play.

The Cardinals now sit at 65-69, 7.5 games behind the Mets for the third wild card. The Cardinals will turn to Miles Mikolas on Thursday afternoon to try and secure a series split. First pitch is at 1:15 p.m.