The Pittsburgh Pirates lost 3-0 to the St. Louis Cardinals Monday night at PNC Park. The Pirates left the bases loaded four times without scoring in the game. Several baserunning blunders and a Gregory Polanco error cost the Pirates a chance to close in on the National League Central Division. Instead, the Cardinals now have a four game lead with five games to play. The Pirates will need a small miracle, otherwise they can plan for the Chicago Cubs in the National League Wild Card game Wednesday, October 7th. The Cubs defeated Kansas City 1-0 Monday, and trail the Pirates by 3-1/2 games.
The Pirates were 0-for-12 in the game with runners in scoring position. Starting pitcher J.A. Happ allowed just one hit over six innings. He did not walk a batter and struck out four before being lifted for a pinch hitter. Mark Melancon took the loss in relief, allowing all three Cardinals runs in the ninth. The Bucs and Cards meet again tonight at 7:05pm. Pre-game on WISR 680am is 6:40pm. Charlie Morton (9-8, 4.54 ERA) will start for the Pirates. Michael Wacha (17-6, 3.15 ERA) for the Cardinals.
Cardinals outfielder Stephen Piscotty was carted off the field following a collision with a teammate in left-centerfield.
Nationals closer Jonathan Papelbon has been suspended for the rest of the regular season. The club has announced Papelbon dropped the appeal of his three-game suspension for throwing at Baltimore’s Manny Machado last week, and the Nationals also suspended him the remaining four games for Sunday’s incident with Bryce Harper. 
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