Pirates Cost Bettors With Late Implosion

The Highlights

• Pittsburgh overcame a four-run deficit to take a seemingly secure 8-5 lead into the ninth inning.
• But Pirates closer Felipe Vasquez gave up five runs in the ninth, crushing the hopes of Pittsburgh and its backers. 

After overcoming a four-run first-inning deficit, the Pirates appeared to break things open in the eighth inning, scoring four runs off the Cardinals' bullpen to take an 8-5 lead.

But in the ninth inning, the Cardinals would do one better — and the Pirates' bullpen, to the dismay of Bucs backers, did one worse. Tonight's moose comes compliments of Felipe Vasquez (or the closer formerly known as Felipe Rivero), who came on for the save — and proceeded to do nothing of the sort.

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In fact, Vasquez would not even record an out. Let's go to the play-by-play.

• Harrison Bader double.
• Tommy Pham reaches on error.
• Marcell Ozuna walk.
• Luke Voit two-RBI single.
• Yairo Munoz three-run homer.

Pirates bettors, unfortunately, are probably reading this and weeping. This is a tough pill to swallow. Pittsburgh scrapped back from a four-run deficit and took a seemingly commanding lead in the eighth — and then watched its bullpen implode (along with your bet) in the 10-8 loss.

On the flipside, if you were on the Cardinals — or, dare I say, the run line — tonight was your night.

Yairo Munoz pictured – via Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports