Cardinals 3, Pirates 0
PITTSBURGH -- Mark Reynolds hit a two-run home run to cap a three-run ninth inning as the St. Louis Cardinals snapped a scoreless tie and beat the Pittsburgh Pirates 3-0 on Monday night to get closer to their third straight National League Central title.
The Cardinals (99-58) increased their division lead to four games over the Pirates (95-62). Both teams have five games remaining and St. Louis can wrap up the title with a win Tuesday night in the second game of a three-game series.
Pirates closer Mark Melancon (3-2), who leads the major leagues with a franchise-record 51 saves, started the ninth and gave up a one-out single to third Matt Carpenter. Center fielder Jon Jay followed with a single to right and Carpenter continued home when right fielder Gregory Polanco bobbled the ball for an error.
Reynolds, the first baseman, followed with his 13th homer of the season, a drive into the right-field stands.
Reliever Jonathan Broxton (4-5) pitched a scoreless eighth inning for the win and closer Trevor Rosenthal got through a shaky ninth for his club-record 48th save in 51 opportunities. The record of 47 was set by Lee Smith in 1991 and matched by Jason Isrinhausen in 2004.
Six Cardinals pitches combined on a six-hit shutout -- despite issuing 10 walks -- as the Pirates, who like St. Louis have already clinched a postseason berth, stranded 16 baserunners.
The Pirates left the bases loaded three times and put runners on first and second with none out in the ninth before Rosenthal closed it out.
Cardinals right-hander Lance Lynn weaved his way through five shutout innings, though he gave up four hits and four walks while striking out six.
Pirates left-hander J.A. Happ allowed only one hit over six scoreless innings and retired the last 11 batters he faced, yet wound up not factoring in the decision. He struck out four and did not walk a batter.
Happ has allowed two runs or less in seven of his last eight starts.
Cardinals rookie left fielder Stephen Piscotty was originally diagnosed with a head contusion after being carted off the field on a stretcher in the top of the seventh inning after colliding with center fielder Peter Bourjos.
Bourjos caught a long fly ball to the left-center field gap by Pirates third baseman Josh Harrison. Bourjos' right knee then banged into Piscotty's head.
Piscotty was taken to a local hospital for further evaluation.
Lynn got out of two early jams without allowing a run after the Pirates put runners on second and third with no outs in the second inning and loaded the bases with one out in the third.
The second inning ended when Cardinals center fielder Jason Heyward threw out left fielder Starling Marte at home as he tried to score following shortstop Jordy Mercer's fly out.
Lynn struck out Marte and got second baseman Neil Walker to ground out in the third.
Poor baserunning by Polanco snuffed out a potential fifth-inning rally. He led off with a double but was then thrown out at third base when he tried to advance on Harrison's grounder to shortstop Jhonny Peralta.
NOTES: Cardinals C Yadier Molina (partially torn left thumb ligament) will miss the rest of the regular season, and his status for the postseason is in question after being examined by doctors Monday. He will be re-examined Sunday before the season finale against the Braves at Atlanta. Molina has been out Sept. 20. ... RHP Adam Wainwright (torn left Achilles' tendon) pitched a simulated game on Monday afternoon and could be activated Wednesday night and available to pitch in relief for the finale of the three-game series. The Cardinals' longtime No. 1 starter has been on the disabled list since April 26. ... Pirates 3B Aramis Ramirez was not in the lineup so the 37-year-old could "rest his legs," according to manager Clint Hurdle. ... Cardinals RHP Michael Wacha (17-6, 3.15 ERA) will face Pirates RHP Charlie Morton (9-8, 4.54) on Tuesday night.