Pirates’ Thompson Homers in First as Cards Fall, 6-4

Jason Thompson drilled a two-run homer to key a four-run first inning as the Pittsburgh Pirates celebrated their home opener Friday night with a 6-4 victory over the St. Louis Cardinals.

The Pirates, held to two runs and nine hits in a pair of season-opening losses to the Chicago Cubs, collected 10 hits off four St. Louis pitchers, including Doug Frobel’s two-run single in the first inning.

Bill Madlock drew a two-out walk from Kurt Kepshire, 0-1, in the first before Thompson belted his first home run of the season deep into the right-center field seats. The Pirates then made it 4-0 when former Cardinal George Hendrick singled, went to third on a single by Tony Pena, who took second on the throw to third, and Frobel’s two-run single.

Don Robinson, 1-0, pitched 3 innings of two-hit relief to earn the victory after replacing starter Larry McWilliams with the bases loaded and two out in the fifth and the Pirates leading, 5-2. He was replaced by John Candelaria after Steve Braun opened the St. Louis ninth with a double. Braun eventually scored on a double-play grounder. St. Louis also scored in the eighth on a double play.