In one of the wildest games in PNC Park history, the Pirates overcame losing their starting catcher and manager early on, and two deficits in extra innings to win and pull themselves within 3 1/2 of the division lead. It didn't seem that things were going to go the Pirates way, but they continued to battle all night, and never gave up.
A.J. Burnett, who was making his final start prior to going to Cincinnati for his first All Star Game, was for the second time in a week, the victim of a blown swinging strike three call, which should have ended the second inning, but instead gave the Cardinals the early lead.