Pirates Edge Cardinals 1-0 on Henry Davis' Late Heroics

Tuesday, July 1st, 2025

PITTSBURGH -- — Catcher Henry Davis drove in the game's only run with a sacrifice fly in the eighth inning and preserved the lead with a tag at the plate in the ninth, giving Pittsburgh a 1-0 win over St. Louis Cardinals on Tuesday night, July 1, 2025, at 5:40 PM ET. Pirates ace Paul Skenes' winless streak reached six starts.

Pittsburgh's Ke’Bryan Hayes led off the bottom of the eighth with a single off Phil Maton (1-3). Pinch-hitter Adam Frazier doubled to right and Hayes scored on Davis’ fly ball to center.

St. Louis had runners on second and third with one out in the ninth when Victor Scott hit a slow chopper that first baseman Spencer Horwitz fielded and threw to Davis, who tagged Jose Fermin at the plate.

Skenes pitched five scoreless innings and allowed five hits and one walk and struck out five while throwing 88 pitches. Skenes, who is 4-7 with a 2.03 ERA, has not won since May 28 at Arizona and is winless in six starts against the Cardinals.

The loss spoiled a strong outing by Cardinals starter Andre Pallante, who pitched seven innings of one-hit ball. He struck out three and walked two, and his only hit allowed was a single by Andrew McCutchen in the fourth.

Issac Mattson (2-0) pitched one inning for the win, and David Bednar picked up his 12th save in as many chances this season as Pittsburgh won its fifth straight.

Cardinals first baseman Willson Contreras sustained a left-hand contusion in the fourth inning on a tag play at home plate and left the game. Third baseman Nolan Arenado missed the game because of a jammed right index finger.

Key moment

Jose Fermin being tagged out at home on Scott's chopper to Horwitz and Bednar striking out Brendan Donovan to end the game.

Key stat

The Pirates had scored 37 runs in their previous four games.

Up next

Cardinals RHP Sonny Gray (8-2, 3.36 ERA) faces Mitch Keller (2-10, 3.90) on Wednesday as the Pirates go for the series sweep.

In summary

• The Pittsburgh Pirates defeated the St. Louis Cardinals 1-0 on July 1, 2025.
• Catcher Henry Davis drove in the game's only run in the 8th inning and made a game-saving tag at home in the 9th.
• Paul Skenes pitched five scoreless innings for the Pirates but remains winless in six starts against the Cardinals.
• Cardinals starter Andre Pallante allowed just one hit over seven innings.
• Issac Mattson earned the win and David Bednar recorded his 12th save.
• Cardinals Willson Contreras left the game with a hand injury, and Nolan Arenado was out with a finger injury.
• The win extended Pittsburgh's winning streak to five games.

Related Links

• St. Louis Cardinals News & Updates
• St. Louis Cardinals Schedule & Scores
• Pittsburgh Pirates News & Updates
• Pittsburgh Pirates Schedule & Scores
• MLB News