PIRATES

Despite entering tonight with an 18-inning scoreless drought and failing to push across a run in the first four innings, the Pirates weren't 9-6 extra-inning losers at the hands of the Cardinals because they lacked offensive support. 

Sure there were wasted chances with a 3-for-17 showing with runners in scoring position and 11 left on base. But the real issues, once again, in this fourth straight defeat stemmed from the lack of reliable relief pitching.

Add Evan Sisk, Brandan Bidois and Mason Montgomery to the list of relievers who helped give away a win. Sisk allowed a two-run, go-ahead homer to Nolan Gorman in the sixth inning, Bidois surrendered a solo homer to Alec Burleson that made it a 6-4 game in the eighth and Montgomery gave up a walkoff three-run homer to Ivan Herrera in the 10th. In total, those three covered 2 1/3 innings and allowed five runs (four earned) on five hits with three walks and just one strikeout in relief of Mitch Keller. 

That's not exactly a recipe for sustained success, as the bullpen continues to make things tough on a team now sitting right at the .500 mark on the season. 

“We’re a little frustrated with the results, but you can’t get hung up on that," Montgomery said. "We just gotta keep working and keep focusing on what we need to focus on. It’s a long season, so there’s plenty of time to get back on the saddle.”