Before Sunday's game, Cardinals general manager John Mozeliak said "the trend has not been good" in reference to the team's recent play.
Through two innings, a couple negative trends have been bucked. The Cardinals lead the Pirates 2-0.
Randal Grichuk started off the second inning with his first big-league at bat since May 28. Grichuk, who has been playing in AAA-Memphis after spending time in Jupiter, Fla. to work on his swing, has specifically struggled with control of his strike zone this season. In his first at bat Sunday, Grichuk worked the count to 3-2 before knocking a single into left.