In the first inning, Gregory Polanco doubled and moved to third on a Neil Walker single. When Andrew McCutchen hit a sharp ground ball to Mark Reynolds, Polanco froze, then tried to go home when Reynolds went to second to start the double play. He was thrown out at the plate to complete the oh-so-rare 5-4-2 double play. The Pirates did not score.
“Uh-oh,” I thought.
The fourth inning started with Jung-Ho Kang being hit by a pitch and going to second on a Francisco Cervelli single. Both runners moved up on a wild pitch, and then Pedro Alvarez smoked a ball up the middle. Carlos Martinez caught it, and threw to third for the oh-so-rare 1-5 double play. The Pirates did not score.
“Uh-oh,” I thought.
The fifth inning started for the Cardinals with a Randall Grichuk single. Xavier Scruggs followed with a sharp ground ball to Jordy Merer. Mercer muffed the ball to put runners on first and second with no outs.
“Uh-oh,” I thought.
From there, Jeff Locke’s control abandoned him and the Cardinals hit two two-run singles. They won the game 4-1.
This game turned on three plays: a base-running mistake, a lucky defensive play, and an error. For six weeks, these are the things that have been breaking in the Pirates’ favor. For a million years, these are the things that have been breaking in the Cardinals’ favor.
This loss stings, but repeat after me: Cole, Burnett, Liriano. Cole, Burnett, Liriano. Cole, Burnett, Liriano.
Photo by Jared Wickerham/Getty Images
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