How Zack Thompson found his slider, studied Clayton Kershaw, saved Cardinals vs. Pirates
Aug. 24—PITTSBURGH — Pitching with a lead for the first time as a starter in the major leagues, Cardinals rookie Zack Thompson faced a moment in the third inning Wednesday when his game was at its most brittle, ready to break in a direction that could decide it.
With two on and two out, Pittsburgh had its one-time MVP Andrew McCutchen up. McCutchen had seen one pitch from Thompson earlier in the…