Whatever pilot light of possibility the Cardinals nurtured into the ninth inning Friday was extinguished when the bullpen couldn’t do for one inning what San Francisco Giants relievers did for three.
Despite managing only flickers of offense against Giants starter Johnny Cueto, the Cardinals remained one run behind their guests entering the final inning at Busch Stadium. All the Cardinals’ bullpen had to do was get three outs and give the offense a few whacks at tying or winning the game. They didn’t get an out before they had squandered the chance.
The Giants scored three runs in the top of the ninth to clinch a 5-1 victory.