Adam Wainwright, Tyler O’Neill lift Cardinals over Pirates in Albert Pujols’ return

Albert Pujols held again tears throughout a prolonged standing ovation. The Cardinals designated hitter placed on a giant smile as an alternative.

Loads of cause for these on this opening day in St. Louis.

Adam Wainwright pitched six scoreless innings, Tyler O’Neill hit a three-run homer and drove in a career-high 5, and the Cardinals celebrated Pujols’ return with a 9-0 season-opening win over the Pittsburgh Pirates on Thursday.

“I used to be attempting to carry it in slightly bit,” Pujols stated. “These followers actually admire what I’ve executed for this group and hopefully I can proceed to try this and end robust.”

Yadier Molina threw out a runner attempting to steal second within the first recreation of his remaining massive league season, and Nolan Arenado and Tommy Edman additionally homered for the Cardinals, who received the managerial debut of 35-year-old Oliver Marmol. Paul Goldschmidt drew 4 straight walks, the primary participant to try this on opening day since Manny Ramírez in 2002.

The Pirates had simply six hits and misplaced budding star Ke’Bryan Hayes to left forearm spasms within the first inning — simply hours after information started to unfold that Hayes had agreed to a $70 million, eight-year deal. Hayes stated the difficulty was minor and never associated to a wrist harm that spoiled his 2021 season.

“It was only a cramp,” he stated.

Followers stood and cheered Pujols for practically a full minute previous to his first at-bat, a flyout to left within the first inning. The 42-year-old performed 11 seasons in St. Louis (2001-2011) and helped the Cardinals to a pair of World Collection championships earlier than leaving to affix the Los Angeles Angels.

Pujols, who signed a one-year take care of St. Louis final month, was 0 for five.

“He regarded good, at the very least so far as his timing,” Marmol stated.

Added Wainwright: “The time that he was right here (earlier than), he was a franchise participant. A man who modified the sport and was the face of baseball in St. Louis. To see him come again, to be part of this clubhouse once more, is actually, actually cool.”

Wainwright (1-0) allowed 5 hits in his sixth opening day begin and first since 2016. The 40-year-old struck out six and didn’t stroll a batter. He and the 39-year-old Molina made their 305th begin as a battery, fourth most in main league historical past. Molina made his franchise-record 18th successive opening day begin.

O’Neill had an RBI single within the first, then broke the sport open with a line-drive homer to left within the second inning in opposition to starter JT Brubaker (0-1) for a 4-0 lead.

“We’re an offensive drive,” O’Neill stated. “Now we have a whole lot of depth, one by way of 9. Everyone’s harmful. The DH helps rather a lot as effectively. We’re all the time assured in ourselves.”

Wainwright wriggled out of his solely jam within the fourth by getting Kevin Newman to floor into an inning-ending double play with two runners on base. Wainwright has not allowed a run in opposition to Pittsburgh in his final 32 innings.

“I am not attempting to remove how superb at the moment was,” Wainwright stated. “However we nonetheless plan on getting that final out of your complete season.”

The Cardinals recorded their largest opening day margin of victory since beating Houston 14-3 in 1982.

Yoshi Tsutsugo had two hits for Pittsburgh, which opened the season on the street for sixth successive season.

Relievers Nick Wittgren, Genesis Cabrera and Ryan Helsley mixed on the six-hit shutout.

Brubaker, who was the Pirates seventh opening day starter in as a few years, allowed 4 runs over three innings. He struck out two and walked three.

HORSING AROUND

Pregame ceremonies featured the standard parade of Clydesdale horses circling the sphere along with the introduction of 16 members of the St. Louis Cardinals Corridor of Fame. Ozzie Smith threw out the primary pitch to Willie McGee.

TRAINER’S ROOM

Pirates: RHP Duane Underwood Jr. left the sport within the sixth with proper hamstring tightness. … OF Greg Allen was positioned on the 60-day harm listing with a left hamstring concern.

Cardinals: Opening the season with out RHP Jack Flaherty, who’s sidelined with shoulder stiffness.

UP NEXT

Pittsburgh RHP Mitch Keller (5-11, 6.17 final season) will face RHP Miles Mikolas (2-3, 4.23) within the second recreation of a four-game sequence Saturday.