The Pirates missed out on a sweep of the St. Louis Cardinals Sunday, losing the final game of the series 5-4.
The Cardinals took an early 3-0 lead thanks to homers by Yadier Molina and Allen Craig, while the Pirates failed to take advantage of scoring opportunities in the first few innings.
The Bucs took the lead in the fourth, however, when Clint Barmes hit an RBI single and Michael McKenry blasted a three-run homer. The Cardinals retook the lead in a two-run fifth inning that was keyed by Matt Holliday's RBI double. The Bucs didn't score after that, despite putting two men on in the sixth and leading off with two hits in the eighth.
Jake Westbrook allowed four runs in six innings but picked up the win. He struck out six batters and walked one.
Pedro Alvarez left the game in the eighth, but it appears his injury is not serious -- it's merely a cramp. Andrew McCutchen sat out with a wrist injury, but that injury likewise appears not to be serious.
For more on the Pirates, check out Bucs Dugout. For more on the Cardinals, there's Viva El Birdos.