St. Louis Cardinals starting pitcher Adam Wainwright delivers during the first innings of the team’s baseball game against the Pittsburgh Pirates in Pittsburgh, Wednesday, August 11, 2021.
Paul DeJong (11) of St. Louis Cardinals scores prior to the day of Pittsburgh Pirates catcher Michael Perez during the sixth innings of a baseball game in Pittsburgh, Wednesday, August 11, 2021.
Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher Wil Crowe delivers during the first innings of the team’s baseball game against the St. Louis Cardinals in Pittsburgh, Wednesday, August 11, 2021.
St. Louis Cardinals starting pitcher Adam Wainwright hits an RBI single in front of Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher Cody Ponce during the sixth innings of a baseball game in Pittsburgh, Wednesday, August 11, 2021.
St. Louis Cardinals’ Paul DeJong celebrates as he stands at second base after hitting a Pittsburgh Pirates double-run double during the sixth innings of a baseball game in Pittsburgh, Wednesday, August 11, 2021 Pirates starter mug Cody Ponce starts.
Paul DeJong of the St. Louis Cardinals scored a Pittsburgh Pirates double-run double during the sixth innings of a baseball game in Pittsburgh on Wednesday, August 11, 2021, starting Pittsburgh Pirates with pitcher Cody Ponce.
Pittsburgh Pirates ‘second baseman Rodolfo Castro, 64, kills St. Louis Cardinals’ Nolan Arenado, 28, to finish the top of the fourth innings of a baseball game in Pittsburgh on Wednesday, August 11, 2021.
St. Louis Cardinals starting pitcher Adam Wainwright delivers during the fifth innings of the team’s baseball game against the Pittsburgh Pirates in Pittsburgh, Wednesday, August 11, 2021.
From JOHN PERROTTO Associated Press
PITTSBURGH (AP) – Adam Wainwright built his dominance in Pittsburgh with a full game, a shutout with two hits and helped himself with two hits when the St. Louis Cardinals defeated the Pirates 4-0 on Wednesday evening.
The 39-year-old Wainwright allowed a pair of Colin Moran’s singles in the second and fifth innings and then retired the last 15 batter.
Wainwright (11-6) only needed 88 pitches to record the 11th shutout of his 16-year career and the first since 2016. He knocked out seven and didn’t give a walk.
“He gave an absolute demonstration of what it takes to be a major league pitcher,” said St. Louis manager Mike Shildt.
Wainwright was delighted to finally be able to record a “Maddux” for the first time, which consists of throwing a shutout in less than 100 pitches. It is named after Hall of Famer Greg Maddux, who was once a teammate of Wainwright’s Atlanta team and whose brother Mike is the Cardinals’ pitching coach.
“I haven’t looked at my pitch count all day,” said Wainwright. “I knew it was low, but I didn’t want it in my head. I thought I had a chance at a Maddux, but I didn’t want to think about it. I just wanted to do pitches. “
Wainwright worked on his fastball command between starts and felt paid off.
“I don’t think there were three fields that I really tried to throw the ball hard on,” he said. “It’s funny how it usually works when you’re working on things. I was working on my move a few starts ago and then I went out and threw some of my best moves of the season. “
