PITTSBURGH聽鈥 Cardinals manager Oli Marmol had plenty of words to describe what he was thinking as the baseball and the game soared toward the left field seats, but before speaking them, he first had a question:
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最新杏吧原创 Post-Dispatch Cardinals beat writer Daniel Guerrero joined columnist Lynn Worthy to discuss JJ Wetherholt鈥檚 return to Pittsburgh, Nathan Church鈥檚 fast start and bounce backs by two key members of the bullpen.
Photos: Cardinals narrowly survive for another win over Pirates in Pittsburgh
Apr 29, 2026; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; 最新杏吧原创 Cardinals starting pitcher Andre Pallante (53) delivers a pitch against the Pittsburgh Pirates during the first inning at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images
Apr 29, 2026; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher Bubba Chandler (36) delivers a pitch against the 最新杏吧原创 Cardinals during the first inning at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images
Apr 29, 2026; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher Bubba Chandler (36) delivers a pitch against the 最新杏吧原创 Cardinals during the first inning at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images
Apr 29, 2026; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; 最新杏吧原创 Cardinals starting pitcher Andre Pallante (53) delivers a pitch against the Pittsburgh Pirates during the first inning at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images
Apr 29, 2026; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; 最新杏吧原创 Cardinals starting pitcher Andre Pallante (53) delivers a pitch against the Pittsburgh Pirates during the first inning at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images
Apr 29, 2026; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher Bubba Chandler (36) delivers a pitch against the 最新杏吧原创 Cardinals during the first inning at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images
Apr 29, 2026; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; 最新杏吧原创 Cardinals pitcher Ryan Fernandez (64) throws in the outfield before the game against the Pittsburgh Pirates at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images
Apr 29, 2026; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher Hunter Barco (45) before the game against the 最新杏吧原创 Cardinals at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images
Apr 29, 2026; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher Yohan Ram铆rez (49) warms up in the outfield before the game against the 最新杏吧原创 Cardinals at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images
Apr 29, 2026; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; 最新杏吧原创 Cardinals pitcher Gordon Graceffo (44) throws in the outfield before the game against the Pittsburgh Pirates at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images
Apr 29, 2026; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher Paul Skenes (30) watches game action from the dugout against the 最新杏吧原创 Cardinals during the second inning at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images
Cardinals catcher Ivan Herrera (48) greets third baseman Ramon Urias (29) as he crosses home plate to score during the third inning of a game against the Pirates on Wednesday, April 29, 2026, at PNC Park in Pittsburgh.
Apr 29, 2026; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; 最新杏吧原创 Cardinals second baseman JJ Wetherholt (26) hits an RBI double against the Pittsburgh Pirates during the third inning at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images
Cardinals right fielder Jordan Walker (18) congratulates first baseman Alec Burleson on his two-run home run during the fifth inning of a game against the Pirates on Wednesday, Aprl 29, 2026, at PNC Park in Pittsburgh.
Apr 29, 2026; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; 最新杏吧原创 Cardinals first baseman Alec Burleson (41) circles the bases on a two-run home run against the Pittsburgh Pirates during the fifth inning at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images
Cardinals first baseman Alec Burleson celebrates as he rounds the bases on a two-run home run during the fifth inning of a game against the Pirates on Wednesday, April 29, 2026, at PNC Park in Pittsburgh.
Apr 29, 2026; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; 最新杏吧原创 Cardinals first baseman Alec Burleson (41) celebrates his two-run home run with catcher Iv谩n Herrera (48) against the Pittsburgh Pirates during the fifth inning at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images
Apr 29, 2026; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates right fielder Ryan O'Hearn (29) hits an infield single against the 最新杏吧原创 Cardinals during the fourth inning at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images
Apr 29, 2026; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates first baseman Spencer Horwitz (2) celebrates his solo one run while wearing a welding hood in the dugout against the 最新杏吧原创 Cardinals during the fifth inning at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images
Apr 29, 2026; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates first baseman Spencer Horwitz (2) circles the bases on a solo one run against the 最新杏吧原创 Cardinals during the fifth inning at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images
Apr 29, 2026; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; 最新杏吧原创 Cardinals first baseman Alec Burleson (41) hits a two-run home run against the Pittsburgh Pirates during the fifth inning at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images
Apr 29, 2026; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher Bubba Chandler (36) delivers a pitch against the 最新杏吧原创 Cardinals during the first inning at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images
Apr 29, 2026; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher Bubba Chandler (36) and catcher Joey Bart (14) make their way in from the bullpen to play the 最新杏吧原创 Cardinals at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images
Apr 29, 2026; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates left fielder Bryan Reynolds (10) warms up before the game against the 最新杏吧原创 Cardinals at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images
Apr 29, 2026; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher Bubba Chandler (36) delivers a pitch against the 最新杏吧原创 Cardinals during the first inning at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images
Apr 29, 2026; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Home plate umpire Laz Diaz (63) gestures to Pittsburgh Pirates manager Don Kelly (right) against the 最新杏吧原创 Cardinals during the seventh inning at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images
Apr 29, 2026; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates catcher Joey Bart (14) high-fives in the dugout after scoring a run against the 最新杏吧原创 Cardinals during the seventh inning at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images
Apr 29, 2026; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Home plate umpire Laz Diaz (63) gestures to the Pittsburgh Pirates dugout against the 最新杏吧原创 Cardinals during the seventh inning at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images
Apr 29, 2026; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; 最新杏吧原创 Cardinals relief pitcher Ryne Stanek (55) pitches against the Pittsburgh Pirates during the seventh inning at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images
Apr 29, 2026; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; 最新杏吧原创 Cardinals relief pitcher Jojo Romero (59) pitches against the Pittsburgh Pirates during the seventh inning at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images
Apr 29, 2026; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; 最新杏吧原创 Cardinals right fielder Jordan Walker (left) congratulates center fielder Victor Scott II (11) after Scott scored a run against the Pittsburgh Pirates during the seventh inning at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images
Apr 29, 2026; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates relief pitcher Chris Devenski (57) pitches against the 最新杏吧原创 Cardinals during the seventh inning at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images
Apr 29, 2026; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; 最新杏吧原创 Cardinals center fielder Victor Scott II (11) is struck by a pitch during the seventh inning against the Pittsburgh Pirates at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images
Apr 29, 2026; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; 最新杏吧原创 Cardinals right fielder Jordan Walker (18) hits an RBI single against the Pittsburgh Pirates during the seventh inning at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images
Cardinals center fielder Victor Scott II is safe on a steal of second base ahead of Pirates shortstop Konnor Griffin during the seventh inning of a game Wednesday, April 29, 2026, at PNC Park in Pittsburgh.
Apr 29, 2026; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; 最新杏吧原创 Cardinals second baseman JJ Wetherholt (26) fields a ground ball for an out against Pittsburgh Pirates left fielder Bryan Reynolds (not pictured) during the ninth inning at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images
Apr 29, 2026; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; 最新杏吧原创 Cardinals center fielder Victor Scott II (11) and left fielder Nathan Church (27) and right fielder Jordan Walker (18) celebrate after defeating the Pittsburgh Pirates at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images
Apr 29, 2026; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates shortstop Konnor Griffin (left) and 最新杏吧原创 Cardinals second baseman JJ Wetherholt (right) talk at second base during a replay review in the ninth inning at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images
Apr 29, 2026; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; 最新杏吧原创 Cardinals shortstop Masyn Winn (0) and left fielder Nathan Church (27) and second baseman JJ Wetherholt (26) and center fielder Victor Scott II (right) celebrate after defeating the Pittsburgh Pirates at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images
Cardinals left fielder Nathan Church gets the game ball after his ninth-inning home run robbery cemented a win over the Pirates on Wednesday, April 29, 2026, at PNC Park in Pittsburgh.
Apr 29, 2026; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; 最新杏吧原创 Cardinals relief pitcher Riley O'Brien (61) pitches against the Pittsburgh Pirates during the ninth inning at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images
Apr 29, 2026; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; 最新杏吧原创 Cardinals relief pitcher Riley O'Brien (61) reacts after securing the final out against the Pittsburgh Pirates during the ninth inning at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images
Apr 29, 2026; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; 最新杏吧原创 Cardinals relief pitcher George Soriano (65) pitches against the Pittsburgh Pirates during the eighth inning at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images
Cardinals second baseman JJ Wetherholt hits a double during the ninth inning of a game against the Pirates on Wednesday, April 29, 2026, at PNC Park in Pittsburgh.
