ST. LOUIS — The last time Aramis Ramirez donned a Pirates uniform at Busch Stadium was June 1, 2003. He’s doesn’t recall that particular day, only that back then the Pirates’ rivalry with the St. Louis Cardinals wasn’t anything like it is now.
Tonight, the Pirates, winners of four games in a row, open a three-game road series in St. Louis with an eye on shrinking the gap between the teams with the best records in the National League. The Cardinals (71-40) lead the Pirates (65-44) by five games.
“Just the fact of being in a pennant race is fun,” said Ramirez, acquired in late July from the Milwaukee Brewers.