The Pirates returned to their normal practice of leaving runners in scoring position, going 0-for-8 in those situations and losing to St. Louis, 3-1. The bottom five in their order, a crippling weakness all year, went 2-for-21, both singles by Erik Gonzalez. Phillip Evans struck out all three times up.
J.T. Brubaker had a decent start, giving up three runs in six innings. He allowed six hits, including home runs by Paul DeJong and Paul Goldschmidt. He also gave up a two-out, RBI single to Yadier Molina in the first that put the Cards ahead.
The Pirates had chances, but Adam Wainwright and the Cards’ bullpen generally struck out whomever they needed to. The only run was a fourth-inning home run by Gregory Polanco, his eighth of the year.
Chris Stratton and Geoff Hartlieb each threw a scoreless inning in relief. Hartlieb threw 12 of 14 pitches for strikes, which has been a problem area.
