PITTSBURGH • What can and likely will assert itself as a strength for the 2016 Cardinals could only hold on so long Tuesday night without help from somewhere, anywhere else.
The Cardinals’ bullpen fiercely held tight to a tie ballgame, retiring 18 consecutive batters at one point, only to have their first baserunner allowed become the only baserunner Pittsburgh needed. After buying 5 2/3 innings of time for the Cardinals to overcome a lost lead and faulty execution, the bullpen blinked. Pirates shortstop Jordy Mercer connected for a one-out, RBI single in the 11th inning for a 6-5 victory at PNC Park.