MILWAUKEE -- The worst-case scenario for a three-game series would normally be losing all three games. In this case it's losing three games and having the shortstop leave the field on a cart.
The Pirates entered the second half of the season as the hottest team in baseball. They left with three straight losses to the Brewers, including Sunday's 6-1 defeat.
And, more painfully, they saw shortstop Jordy Mercer injured in the second inning on Sunday.
The Pirates reported that the injury is to Mercer's lower left leg. Beyond that the extent of the injury is not known, but it is serious enough that Mercer did not leave the field under his own power.