ST. LOUIS -- The Pirates' comeback dreams fell short Thursday night, as Felipe Vazquez gave up a walk-off home run to Yairo Munoz that capped a five-run bottom of the ninth, sending the Bucs to a stunning 10-8 loss to the Cardinals at Busch Stadium.
The Pirates went into the ninth with a three-run lead after Francisco Cervelli's two-out homer gave the Bucs a seemingly comfortable 8-5 cushion in the eighth. Kyle Crick pitched a 1-2-3 bottom half of the inning, setting up a save opportunity for Vazquez. However, the Bucs' closer failed to record an out in the ninth, as all five batters he faced scored.