Cardinals vs. Pirates final score: Mark Melancon picks up first career playoff win in NLDS Game 3

With the Pittsburgh Pirates in the MLB Playoffs for the first time since 1992, it gives us a chance to watch former Arizona Wildcat Mark Melancon do his thing as the setup man in the Pirate bullpen.

Game Three vs. the St. Louis Cardinals was not a perfect one by any means for the righty.  Melancon came on in the eighth as he typically does for the Pirates, but promptly gave up a game-tying HR to Carlos Beltran.

Did he fold under pressure at a rocking PNC Park though?  Nope, not at all.  Matt Holliday followed it up with a ground ball to first baseman Justin Morneau.  After a Yadier Molina single, Melancon drew a grounder back to the mound from David Freese for the inning-ending double play.

Melancon's teammates picked him up in the bottom of the eighth though.  After a leadoff double for Andrew McCutchen was erased on a fielder's choice by Morneau, Pedro Alvarez and Russell Martin each drove in a run on ninth-inning singles.

And as the Pirates usually finish games, closer Jason Grilli came on in the top of the ninth to put Pittsburgh just one game away from advancing to the NLCS to face either the Los Angeles Dodgers or Atlanta Braves.

Sure, it's not the way you want to pick up your first career playoff win, but that's the way it happened for Mark Melancon.  Would love to see the Pirates keep this magical ride going just to see Melancon pitch in the World Series.