ST. LOUIS -- One night removed from an offensive explosion with five home runs, a two-run deficit with six innings to play seemed reasonably surmountable for the Cardinals. They had their opportunities in a 2-1 loss to the Reds on Wednesday night, but the offense couldn't convert when potential runs were almost gift-wrapped for them.
The Cardinals went 0-for-8 with runners in scoring position, capped off by Jedd Gyorko's groundout to third base with two outs in the bottom of the ninth to leave Kolten Wong stranded after a leadoff triple. Greg Garcia popped out to short left field one batter earlier.