Francisco Liriano can’t pitch every night for the Pirates.
Without him Thursday afternoon, Pittsburgh let their NLDS opener with St. Louis get out of hand early, giving up seven runs in the third, all seven of those coming without starter A.J. Burnett getting an out.
He was removed, with an ugly 2+ IP, 7ER line that made everyone forget the stellar performance the Pirates turned in Monday.
9-1 was the final, with Cardinals outfielder Carlos Beltran delivering a three-run homer in that big third inning.
The other half of Twins East, Justin Morneau, went 1-4, while also striking out once.
Morneau and Pittsburgh have a tight turn around, with game two of the best-of-five series coming Friday at noon.
