A.J. Pierzynski starts; goes hitless in NLCS Game 3

Oct 12, 2014; St. Louis, MO, USA; St. Louis Cardinals catcher A.J. Pierzynski before game two of the 2014 NLCS playoff baseball game against the San Francisco Giants at Busch Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports

Former Chicago White Sox catcher, A.J. Pierzynski had the start for the St. Louis Cardinals on Tuesday in place of injured starter Yadier Molina.

Pierzynski went hitless for the Cardinals, finishing 0-for-4 in the 5-4 loss to the San Francisco Giants that lasted 10 innings. He replaced Molina in the lineup due to his oblique strain.

In Game 3, Pierzynski struck out swinging in the second, and grounded out to second in the fourth. The top of the seventh saw Pierzynski line out to left field, and in the the ninth he grounded out to first base.

The game on Tuesday was the first game action Pierzynski has seen since the regular season, as he was left off the Cardinals’ NLDS roster. He didn’t play in the first two NLCS games.

This season, Pierzynski began with the Boston Red Sox, but was released before signing with the Cardinals.

In 30 games with the Cardinals, Pierzynski batted .244 with 20 hits, including two doubles and one home run. The former All-Star catcher also had six RBIs as a Cardinal.