The Pirates entered a must win scenario against the team with the best record in the league on Monday, and dropped the opener in disappointing fashion, putting the team four games back of the division lead with five games left to play.
The loss all but assures the Cards will once again win the division, with the Pirates claiming second place, and once again hosting the Wild Card game a week from Wednesday.
The game was full of missed opportunities for the Pirates. Four times in the game the Pirates ended an inning with the bases loaded.