Bucs’ comeback falls short

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

PITTSBURGH

It had been 18 long years since Sunday Night Baseball last showcased the Pirates when the lights and cameras of ESPN rolled into Pittsburgh on Sunday night.

It took a half inning for the Cardinals to take a lead, and then a ninth inning rally by the Pirates came up short.

The Pirates lost 6-5 to rival St. Louis, missing out on a series sweep in front of 32,065 at PNC Park.

The ninth inning bases-loaded rally ended when Jordy Mercer grounded into a double play with a chopper to third base.

Neil Walker had singled and scored on an RBI single by Pedro Alvarez. A walk by Clint Barmes loaded the bases but Ike Davis popped up in foul territory and Mercer couldn’t convert.

The loss wrapped up a 6-3 homestand by the Pirates, which is by far the best stretch of the season.

But they are far from out of the woods yet, as the loss dropped their record back down to five games below .500 at 16-21.

The Pirates trailed 4-0 until a fourth inning home run by Jordy Mercer cut the deficit to 4-2, then rallied for a run in the seventh to cut it to 4-3.

Pedro Alvarez singled in pinch-hitter Gaby Sanchez with two outs, but Jose Tabata flew out to center field to end the inning.